edward the second by christopher marlowe dramatis personae king edward the second. prince edward, _his son, afterwards_ king edward the third. kent, _brother to_ king edward the second. gaveston. archbishop of canterbury. bishop of coventry. bishop of winchester. warwick. lancaster. pembroke. arunder. leicester. berkeley. mortimer _the elder._ mortimer _the younger, his nephew._ spenser _the elder._ spenser _the younger, his son._ baldock. baumont. trussel. gurney. matrevis. lightborn. sir john of hainault. levune. rice ap howel. abbot. monks. herald. lords, poor men, james, mower, champion, messengers, soldiers, _and_ attendants. queen isabella, _wife to_ king edward the second. niece _to_ king edward the second, _daughter to the _duke of glocester._ ladies. _enter_ gaveston, _reading a letter._ _gav. my father is deceas'd. come, gaveston, and share the kingdom with thy dearest friend._ ah, words that make me surfeit with delight! what greater bliss can hap to gaveston than live and be the favourite of a king! sweet prince, i come! these, thy amorous lines might have enforc'd me to have swum from france, and, like leander, gasp'd upon the sand, so thou wouldst smile, and take me in thine arms. the sight of london to my exil'd eyes is as elysium to a new-come soul: not that i love the city or the men, but that it harbours him i hold so dear,-- the king, upon whose bosom let me lie, and with the world be still at enmity. what need the arctic people love star-light, to whom the sun shines both by day and night? farewell base stooping to the lordly peers! my knee shall bow to none but to the king. as for the multitude, that are but sparks, rak'd up in embers of their poverty,-- _tanti,_--i'll fawn first on the wind, that glanceth at my lips, and flieth away. _enter three_ poor men. but how now! what are these? _poor men._ such as desire your worship's service. _gav._ what canst thou do? _first p. man._ i can ride. _gav._ but i have no horse.--what art thou? _sec. p. man._ a traveller. _gav._ let me see; thou wouldst do well to wait at my trencher, and tell me lies at dinner-time; and, as i like your discoursing, i'll have you.-- and what art thou? _third p. man._ a soldier, that hath serv'd against the scot. _gav._ why, there are hospitals for such as you: i have no war; and therefore, sir, be gone. _third p. man._ farewell, and perish by a soldier's hand, that wouldst reward them with an hospital! _gav._ ay, ay, these words of his move me as much as if a goose should play the porcupine, and dart her plumes, thinking to pierce my breast. but yet it is no pain to speak men fair; i'll flatter these, and make them live in hope.-- [_aside._ you know that i came lately out of france, and yet i have not view'd my lord the king: if i speed well, i'll entertain you all. _all._ we thank your worship. _gav._ i have some business: leave me to myself. _all._ we will wait here about the court. _gav._ do. [_exeunt poor men._ these are not men for me; i must have wanton poets, pleasant wits, musicians, that with touching of a string may draw the pliant king which way i please: music and poetry is his delight; therefore i'll have italian masks by night, sweet speeches, comedies, and pleasing shows; and in the day, when he shall walk abroad, like sylvan nymphs my pages shall be clad; my men, like satyrs grazing on the lawns, shall with their goat-feet dance the antic hay; sometime a lovely boy in dian's shape, with hair that gilds the water as it glides crownets of pearl about his naked arms, and in his sportful hands an olive-tree, to hide those parts which men delight to see, shall bathe him in a spring; and there, hard by, one like actæon, peeping through the grove, shall by the angry goddess be transform'd, and running in the likeness of an hart, by yelping hounds pull'd down, shall semm to die: such things as these best please his majesty.-- here comes my lord the king, and the nobles, from the parliament. i'll stand aside. [_retires._ _enter_ king edward, kent, lancaster, _the elder_ mortimer, _the younger_ mortimer, warwick, pembroke, _and_ attendants. _k. edw._ lancaster! _lan._ my lord? _gav._ that earl of lancaster do i abhor. [_aside._ _k. edw._ will you not grant me this?--in spite of them i'll have my will; and these two mortimers, that cross me thus, shall know i am displeased. [_aside._ _e. mor._ if you love us, my lord, hate gaveston. _gav._ that villain mortimer! i'll be his death. [_aside._ __y. mor._ mine uncle here, this earl, and i myself, were sworn to your father at his death, that he should ne'er return into the realm: and now, my lord, ere i will break my oath, this sword of mine, that should offend your foes, shall sleep within the scabbard at thy need, and underneath thy banners march who will, for mortimer will hang his armour up. _gav. mort dieu!_ [_aside._ _k. edw._ well, mortimer, i'll make thee rue these words: beseems it thee to contradict thy king? frown'st thou thereat, aspiring lancaster? the sword shall plane the furrows of thy brows, and hew these knees that now are grown so stiff. i will have gaveston; and you shall know what danger 'tis to stand against your king. _gav._ well done, ned! [_aside._ _lan._ my lord, why do you thus incense your peers, that naturally would love and honour you, but for that base and obscure gaveston? four earldoms have i, besides lancaster,-- derby, salisbury, lincoln, leicester; these will i sell, to give my soldiers pay, ere gaveston shall stay within the realm: therefore, if he be come, expel him straight. _kent._ barons and earls, your pride hath made me mute; but know i'll speak, and to the proof, i hope. i do remember, in my father's days, lord percy of the north, being highly mov'd, brav'd mowbray in presence of the king; for which, had not his highness lov'd him well, he should have lost his head; but with his look th' undaunted spirit of percy was appeas'd, and mowbray and he were reconcil'd: yet dare you brave the king unto his face.-- brother, revenge it, and let these their heads preach upon poles, for trespass of their tongues. _war._ o, our heads! _k. edw._ ay, yours; and therefore i would wish you grant. _war._ bridle thy anger, gentle mortimer. _y. mor._ i cannot, nor i will not; i must speak.-- cousin, our hands i hope shall fence our heads, and strike off his that makes you threaten us.-- come, uncle, let us leave the brain-sick king, and henceforth parley with our naked swords. _e. mor._ wiltshire hath men enough to save our heads. _war._ all warwickshire will leave him for my sake. _lan._ and northward lancaster hath many friends.-- adieu, my lord; and either change your mind, or look to see the throne, where you should sit, to float in blood, and at thy wanton head the glozing head of thy base minion thrown. [_exeunt all except king edward, kent, gaveston, and attendants._ _k. edw._ i cannot brook these haughty menaces: am i a king, and must be over-rul'd!-- brother, display my ensigns in the field: i'll bandy with the barons and the earls, and either die or live with gaveston. _gav._ i can no longer keep me from my lord. [_comes forward._ _k. edw._ what, gaveston! welcome! kiss not my hand: embrace me, gaveston, as i do thee. why shouldst thou kneel? know'st thou not who i am? thy friend, thyself, another gaveston: not hylas was more mourned for of hercules than thou hast been of me since thy exile. _gav._ and, since i went from hence, no soul in hell hath felt more torment than poor gaveston. _k. edw._ i know it.--brother, welcome home my friend.-- now let the treacherous mortimers conspire, and that high-minded earl of lancaster: i have my wish, in that i joy thy sight; and sooner shall the sea o'erwhelm my land than bear the ship that shall transport thee hence. i here create thee lord high-chamberlain, chief secretary to the state and me, earl of cornwall, king and lord of man. _gav._ my lord, these titles far exceed my worth. _kent._ brother, the least of these may well suffice for one of greater birth than gaveston. _k. edw._ cease, brother, for i cannot brook these words.-- thy worth, sweet friend, is far above my gifts: therefore, to equal it, receive my heart. if for these dignities thou be envied, i'll give thee more; for, but to honour thee, is edward pleas'd with kingly regiment. fear'st thou thy person? thou shalt have a guard: wantest thou gold? go to my treasury: wouldst thou be lov'd and fear'd? receive my seal, save or condemn, and in our name command what so thy mind affects, or fancy likes. _gav._ it shall suffice me to enjoy your love; which whiles i have, i think myself as great as cæsar riding in the roman street, with captive kings at his triumphant car. _enter the_ bishop of coventry. _k. edw._ whither goes my lord of coventry so fast? _bish. of cov._ to celebrate your father's exequies. but is that wicked gaveston return'd? _k. edw._ ay, priest, and lives to be reveng'd on thee, that wert the only cause of his exile. _gav._ 'tis true; and, but for reverence of these robes, thou shouldst not plod one foot beyond this place. _bish. of cov._ i did no more than i was bound to do: and, gaveston, unless thou be reclaim'd, as then i did incense the parliament, so will i now, and thou shalt back to france. _gav._ saving your reverence, you must pardon me. _k. edw._ throw off his golden mitre, rend his stole, and in the channel christen him anew. _kent._ ay, brother, lay not violent hands on him! for he'll complain unto the see of rome. _gav._ let him complain unto the see of hell: i'll be reveng'd on him for my exile. _k. edw._ no, spare his life, but seize upon his goods: be thou lord bishop, and receive his rents, and make him serve thee as thy chaplain: i give him thee; here, use him as thou wilt. _gav._ he shall to prison, and there die in bolts. _k. edw._ ay, to the tower, the fleet, or where thou wilt. _bish. of cov._ for this offence be thou accurs'd of god! _k. edw._ who's there? convey this priest to the tower. _bish. of cov._ true, true. _k. edw._ but, in the meantime, gaveston, away, and take possession of his house and goods. come, follow me, and thou shalt have my guard to see it done, and bring thee safe again. _gav._ what should a priest do with so fair a house? a prison may beseem his holiness. [_exeunt._ _enter, on one side, the elder_ mortimer, _and the younger_ mortimer; _on the other,_ warwick, _and_ lancaster. _war._ 'tis true, the bishop is in the tower, and goods and body given to gaveston. _lan._ what, will they tyrannise upon the church? ah, wicked king! accursed gaveston! this ground, which is corrupted with their steps, shall be their timeless sepulchre or mine. _y. mor._ well, let that peevish frenchman guard him sure; unless his breast be sword-proof, he shall die. _e. mor._ how now! why droops the earl of lancaster? _y. mor._ wherefore is guy of warwick discontent? _lan._ that villain gaveston is made an earl. _e. mor._ an earl! _war._ ay, and besides lord-chamberlain of the realm, and secretary too, and lord of man. _e. mor._ we may not nor we will not suffer this. _y. mor._ why post we not from hence to levy men? _lan._ "my lord of cornwall" now at every word; and happy is the man whom he vouchsafes, for vailing of his bonnet, one good look. thus, arm in arm, the king and he doth march: nay, more, the guard upon his lordship waits, and all the court begins to flatter him. _war._ thus leaning on the shoulder of the king, he nods, and scorns, and smiles at those that pass. _e. mor._ doth no man take exceptions at the slave? _lan._ all stomach him, but none dare speak a word. _y. mor._ ah, that bewrays their baseness, lancaster! were all the earls and barons of my mind, we'd hale him from the bosom of the king, and at the court-gate hang the peasant up, who, swoln with venom of ambitious pride, will be the ruin of the realm and us. _war._ here comes my lord of canterbury's grace. _lan._ his countenance bewrays he is displeas'd. _enter the_ archbishop of canterbury, _and an_ attendant. _archb. of cant._ first, were his sacred garments rent and torn; then laid they violent hands upon him; next, himself imprison'd, and his goods asseiz'd: this certify the pope: away, take horse. [_exit attendant._ _lan._ my lord, will you take arms against the king? _archb. of cant._ what need i? god himself is up in arms when violence is offer'd to the church. _y. mor._ then will you join with us, that be his peers, to banish or behead that gaveston? _archb. of cant._ what else, my lords? for it concerns me near; the bishoprick of coventry is his. _enter_ queen isabella. _y. mor._ madam, whither walks your majesty so fast? _q. isab._ unto the forest, gentle mortimer, to live in grief and baleful discontent; for now my lord the king regards me not, but dotes upon the love of gaveston: he claps his cheeks, and hangs about his neck, smiles in his face, and whispers in his ears; and, when i come, he frowns, as who should say, "go whither thou wilt, seeing i have gaveston." _e. mor._ is it not strange that he is thus bewitch'd? _y. mor._ madam, return unto the court again: that sly inveigling frenchman we'll exile, or lose our lives; and yet, ere that day come, the king shall lose his crown; for we have power, and courage too, to be reveng'd at full. _archb. of cant._ but yet lift not your swords against the king. _lan._ no; but we will lift gaveston from hence. _war._ and war must be the means, or he'll stay still. _q. isab._ then let him stay; for, rather than my lord shall be oppress'd with civil mutinies, i will endure a melancholy life, and let him frolic with his minion. _archb. of cant._ my lords, to ease all this, but hear me speak: we and the rest, that are his counsellors, will meet, and with a general consent confirm his banishment with our hands and seals. _lan._ what we confirm the king will frustrate. _y. mor._ then may we lawfully revolt from him. _war._ but say, my lord, where shall this meeting be? _archb. of cant._ at the new temple. _y. mor._ content. _archb. of cant._ and, in the meantime, i'll entreat you all to cross to lambeth, and there stay with me. _lan._ come, then, let's away. _y. mor._ madam, farewell. _q. isab._ farewell, sweet mortimer, and, for my sake, forbear to levy arms against the king. _y. mor._ ay, if words will serve; if not, i must. [_exeunt._ _enter_ gaveston _and_ kent. _gav._ edmund, the mighty prince of lancaster, that hath more earldoms than an ass can bear, and both the mortimers, two goodly men, with guy of warwick, that redoubted knight, are gone towards lambeth: there let them remain. [_exeunt._ _enter_ lancaster, warwick, pembroke, _the elder_ mortimer, _the younger_ mortimer, _the_ archbishop of canterbury, _and_ attendants. _lan._ here is the form of gaveston's exile; may it please your lordship to subscribe your name. _archb. of cant._ give me the paper. [_he subscribes, as the others do after him._ _lan._ quick, quick, my lord; i long to write my name. _war._ but i long more to see him banish'd hence. _y. mor._ the name of mortimer shall fright the king, unless he be declin'd from that base peasant. _enter_ king edward, gaveston, _and_ kent. _k. edw._ what, are you mov'd that gaveston sits here? it is our pleasure; we will have it so. _lan._ your grace doth well to place him by your side, for nowhere else the new earl is so safe. _e. mor._ what man of noble birth can brook this sight? _quam male conveniunt!--_ see, what a scornful look the peasant casts! _pem._ can kingly lions fawn on creeping ants? _war._ ignoble vassal, that, like phaeton, aspir'st unto the guidance of the sun! _y. mor._ their downfall is at hand, their forces down: we will not thus be fac'd and over-peer'd. _k. edw._ lay hands on that traitor mortimer! _e. mor._ lay hands on that traitor gaveston! _kent._ is this the duty that you owe your king? _war._ we know our duties; let him know his peers. _k. edw._ whither will you bear him? stay, or ye shall die. _e. mor._ we are no traitors; therefore threaten not. _gav._ no, threaten not, my lord, but pay them home. were i a king-- _y. mor._ thou, villain! wherefore talk'st thou of a king, that hardly art a gentleman by birth? _k. edw._ were he a peasant, being my minion, i'll make the proudest of you stoop to him. _lan._ my lord--you may not thus disparage us.-- away, i say, with hateful gaveston! _e. mor._ and with the earl of kent that favours him. [_attendants remove gaveston and kent._ _k. edw._ nay, then, lay violent hands upon your king: here, mortimer, sit thou in edward's throne; warwick and lancaster, wear you my crown. was ever king thus over-rul'd as i? _lan._ learn, then, to rule us better, and the realm. _y. mor._ what we have done, our heart-blood shall maintain. _war._ think you that we can brook this upstart['s] pride? _k. edw._ anger and wrathful fury stops my speech. _archb. of cant._ why are you not mov'd? be patient, my lord, and see what we your counsellors have done. _y. mor._ my lords, now let us all be resolute, and either have our wills, or lose our lives. _k. edw._ meet you for this, proud over-daring peers! ere my sweet gaveston shall part from me, this isle shall fleet upon the ocean, and wander to the unfrequented inde. _archb. of cant._ you know that i am legate to the pope: on your allegiance to the see of rome, subscribe, as we have done, to his exile. _y. mor._ curse him, if he refuse; and then may we depose him, and elect another king. _k. edw._ ay, there it goes! but yet i will not yield: curse me, depose me, do the worst you can. _lan._ then linger not, my lord, but do it straight. _archb. of cant._ remember how the bishop was abus'd: either banish him that was the cause thereof, or i will presently discharge these lords of duty and allegiance due to thee. _k. edw._ it boots me not to threat; i must speak fair: the legate of the pope will be obey'd.-- [_aside._ my lord, you shall be chancellor of the realm; thou, lancaster, high-admiral of our fleet; young mortimer and his uncle shall be earls; and you, lord warwick, president of the north; and thou of wales. if this content you not, make several kingdoms of this monarchy, and share it equally amongst you all, so i may have some nook or corner left, to frolic with my dearest gaveston. _archb. of cant._ nothing shall alter us; we are resolv'd. _lan._ come, come, subscribe. _y. mor._ why should you love him whom the world hates so? _k. edw._ because he loves me more than all the world. ah, none but rude and savage-minded men would seek the ruin of my gaveston! you that be noble-born should pity him. _war._ you that are princely-born should shake him off: for shame, subscribe, and let the clown depart. _e. mor._ urge him, my lord. _archb. of cant._ are you content to banish him the realm? _k. edw._ i see i must, and therefore am content: instead of ink, i'll write it with my tears. [_subscribes._ _y. mor._ the king is love-sick for his minion. _k. edw._ 'tis done: and now, accursed hand, fall off! _lan._ give it me: i'll have it publish'd in the streets. _y. mor._ i'll see him presently despatch'd away. _archb. of cant._ now is my heart at ease. _war._ and so is mine. _pem._ this will be good news to the common sort. _e. mor._ be it or no, he shall not linger here. [_exeunt all except king edward._ _k. edw._ how fast they run to banish him i love! they would not stir, were it to do me good. why should a king be subject to a priest? proud rome, that hatchest such imperial grooms, with these thy superstitious taper-lights, wherewith thy antichristian churches blaze, i'll fire thy crazed buildings, and enforce the papal towers to kiss the lowly ground, with slaughter'd priests make tiber's channel swell, and banks rais'd higher with their sepulchres! as for the peers, that back the clergy thus, if i be king, not one of them shall live. _re-enter_ gaveston. _gav._ my lord, i hear it whisper'd everywhere, that i am banish'd and must fly the land. _k. edw._ 'tis true, sweet gaveston: o were it false! the legate of the pope will have it so, and thou must hence, or i shall be depos'd. but i will reign to be reveng'd of them; and therefore, sweet friend, take it patiently. live where thou wilt, i'll send thee gold enough; and long thou shalt not stay; or, if thou dost, i'll come to thee; my love shall ne'er decline. _gav._ is all my hope turn'd to this hell of grief? _k. edw._ rend not my heart with thy too-piercing words: thou from this land, i from myself am banish'd. _gav._ to go from hence grieves not poor gaveston; but to forsake you, in whose gracious looks the blessedness of gaveston remains; for nowhere else seeks he felicity. _k. edw._ and only this torments my wretched soul, that, whether i will or no, thou must depart. be governor of ireland in my stead, and there abide till fortune call thee home. here, take my picture, and let me wear thine: [_they exchange pictures._ o, might i keep thee here, as i do this, happy were i! but now most miserable. _gav._ 'tis something to be pitied of a king. _k. edw._ thou shalt not hence; i'll hide thee, gaveston. _gav._ i shall be found, and then 'twill grieve me more. _k. edw._ kind words and mutual talk makes our grief greater: therefore, with dumb embracement, let us part, stay, gaveston; i cannot leave thee thus. _gav._ for every look, my love drops down a tear: seeing i must go, do not renew my sorrow. _k. edw._ the time is little that thou hast to stay, and, therefore, give me leave to look my fill. but, come, sweet friend; i'll bear thee on thy way. _gav._ the peers will frown. _k. edw._ i pass not for their anger. come, let's go: o, that we might as well return as go! _enter_ queen isabella. _q. isab._ whither goes my lord? _k. edw._ fawn not on me, french strumpet; get thee gone! _q. isab._ on whom but on my husband should i fawn? _gav._ on mortimer; with whom, ungentle queen,-- i judge no more--judge you the rest, my lord. _q. isab._ in saying this, thou wrong'st me, gaveston: is't not enough that thou corrupt'st my lord, and art a bawd to his affections, but thou must call mine honour thus in question? _gav._ i mean not so; your grace must pardon me. _k. edw._ thou art too familiar with that mortimer, and by thy means is gaveston exil'd: but i would wish thee reconcile the lords, or thou shalt ne'er be reconcil'd to me. _q. isab._ your highness knows, it lies not in my power. _k. edw._ away, then! touch me not.--come, gaveston. _q. isab._ villain, 'tis thou that robb'st me of my lord. _gav._ madam, 'tis you that rob me of my lord. _k. edw._ speak not unto her: let her droop and pine. _q. isab._ wherein, my lord, have i deserv'd these words? witness the tears that isabella sheds, witness this heart, that, sighing for thee, breaks, how dear my lord is to poor isabel! _k. edw._ and witness heaven how dear thou art to me: there weep; for, till my gaveston be repeal'd, assure thyself thou com'st not in my sight. [_exeunt king edward and gaveston._ _q. isab._ o miserable and distressed queen! would, when i left sweet france, and was embarked, that charming circe, walking on the waves, had chang'd my shape! or at the marriage-day the cup of hymen had been full of poison! or with those arms, that twin'd about my neck, i had been stifled, and not liv'd to see the king my lord thus to abandon me! like frantic juno, will i fill the earth with ghastly murmur of my sighs and cries; for never doted jove on ganymede so much as he on cursed gaveston: but that will more exasperate his wrath; i must entreat him, i must speak him fair, and be a means to call home gaveston: and yet he'll ever dote on gaveston; and so am i for ever miserable. _re-enter_ lancaster, warwick, pembroke, _the elder_ mortimer, _and the younger_ mortimer. _lan._ look, where the sister of the king of france sits wringing of her hands and beats her breast! _war._ the king, i fear, hath ill-treated her. _pem._ hard is the heart that injures such a saint. _y. mor._ i know 'tis 'long of gaveston she weeps. _e. mor._ why, he is gone. _y. mor._ madam, how fares your grace? _q. isab._ ah, mortimer, now breaks the king's hate forth, and he confesseth that he loves me not! _y. mor._ cry quittance, madam, then, and love not him. _q. isab._ no, rather will i die a thousand deaths: and yet i love in vain; he'll ne'er love me. _lan._ fear ye not, madam; now his minion's gone, his wanton humour will be quickly left. _q. isab._ o, never, lancaster! i am enjoin'd, to sue unto you all for his repeal: this wills my lord, and this must i perform, or else be banish'd from his highness' presence. _lan._ for his repeal, madam! he comes not back, unless the sea cast up his shipwreck'd body. _war._ and to behold so sweet a sight as that, there's none here but would run his horse to death. _y. mor._ but, madam, would you have us call him home? _q. isab._ ay, mortimer, for, till he be restor'd, the angry king hath banish'd me the court; and, therefore, as thou lov'st and tender'st me, be thou my advocate unto these peers. _y. mor._ what, would you have me plead for gaveston? _e. mor._ plead for him that will, i am resolv'd. _lan._ and so am i, my lord: dissuade the queen. _q. isab._ o, lancaster, let him dissuade the king! for 'tis against my will he should return. _war._ then speak not for him; let the peasant go. _q. isab._ 'tis for myself i speak, and not for him. _pem._ no speaking will prevail; and therefore cease. _y. mor._ fair queen, forbear to angle for the fish which, being caught, strikes him that takes it dead; i mean that vile torpedo, gaveston, that now, i hope, floats on the irish seas. _q. isab._ sweet mortimer, sit down by me a while, and i will tell thee reasons of such weight as thou wilt soon subscribe to his repeal. _y. mor._ it is impossible: but speak your mind. _q. isab._ then, thus;--but none shall hear it but ourselves. [_talks to y. mor. apart._ _lan._ my lords, albeit the queen win mortimer, will you be resolute and hold with me? _e. mor._ not i, against my nephew. _pem._ fear not; the queen's words cannot alter him. _war._ no? do but mark how earnestly she pleads! _lan._ and see how coldly his looks make denial! _war._ she smiles: now, for my life, his mind is chang'd! _lan._ i'll rather lose his friendship, i, than grant. _y. mor._ well, of necessity it must be so.-- my lords, that i abhor base gaveston i hope your honours make no question. and therefore, though i plead for his repeal, 'tis not for his sake, but to our avail; nay, for the realm's behoof, and for the king's. _lan._ fie, mortimer, dishonour not thyself! can this be true, 'twas good to banish him? and is this true, to call him home again? such reasons make white black, and dark night day. _y. mor._ my lord of lancaster, mark the respect. _lan._ in no respect can contraries be true. _q. isab._ yet, good my lord, hear what he can allege. _war._ all that he speaks is nothing; we are resolv'd. _y. mor._ do you not wish that gaveston were dead? _pem._ i would he were! _y. mor._ why, then, my lord, give me but leave to speak. _e. mor._ but, nephew, do not play the sophister. _y. mor._ this which i urge is of a burning zeal to mend the king and do our country good. know you not gaveston hath store of gold, which may in ireland purchase him such friends as he will front the mightiest of us all? and whereas he shall live and be belov'd, 'tis hard for us to work his overthrow. _war._ mark you but that, my lord of lancaster. _y. mor._ but, were he here, detested as he is, how easily might some base slave be suborn'd to greet his lordship with a poniard, and none so much as blame the murderer, but rather praise him for that brave attempt, and in the chronicle enrol his name for purging of the realm of such a plague! _pem._ he saith true. _lan._ ay, but how chance this was not done before? _y. mor._ because, my lords, it was not thought upon. nay, more, when he shall know it lies in us to banish him, and then to call him home, 'twill make him vail the top flag of his pride, and fear to offend the meanest nobleman. _e. mor._ but how if he do not, nephew? _y. mor._ then may we with some colour rise in arms; for, howsoever we have borne it out, 'tis treason to be up against the king; so shall we have the people of our side, which, for his father's sake, lean to the king, but cannot brook a night-grown mushroom, such a one as my lord of cornwall is, should bear us down of the nobility: and, when the commons and the nobles join, 'tis not the king can buckler gaveston; we'll pull him from the strongest hold he hath. my lords, if to perform this i be slack, think me as base a groom as gaveston. _lan._ on that condition lancaster will grant. _war._ and so will pembroke and i. _e. mor._ and i. _y. mor._ in this i count me highly gratified, and mortimer will rest at your command. _q. isab._ and when this favour isabel forgets, then let her live abandon'd and forlorn.-- but see, in happy time, my lord the king, having brought the earl of cornwall on his way, is new return'd. this news will glad him much: yet not so much as me; i love him more than he can gaveston: would he lov'd me but half so much! then were i treble-blest. _re-enter_ king edward, _mourning._ _k. edw._ he's gone, and for his absence thus i mourn: did never sorrow go so near my heart as doth the want of my sweet gaveston; and, could my crown's revenue bring him back, i would freely give it to his enemies, and think i gain'd, having bought so dear a friend. _q. isab._ hark, how he harps upon his minion! _k. edw._ my heart is as an anvil unto sorrow, which beats upon it like the cyclops' hammers, and with the noise turns up my giddy brain, and makes me frantic for my gaveston. ah, had some bloodless fury rose from hell, and with my kingly sceptre struck me dead, when i was forc'd to leave my gaveston! _lan. diablo,_ what passions call you these? _q. isab._ my gracious lord, i come to bring you news. _k. edw._ that you have parled with your mortimer? _q. isab._ that gaveston, my lord, shall be repeal'd. _k. edw._ repeal'd! the news is too sweet to be true. _q. isab._ but will you love me, if you find it so? _k. edw._ if it be so, what will not edward do? _q. isab._ for gaveston, but not for isabel. _k. edw._ for thee, fair queen, if thou lov'st gaveston; i'll hang a golden tongue about thy neck, seeing thou hast pleaded with so good success. _q. isab._ no other jewels hang about my neck than these, my lord; nor let me have more wealth than i may fetch from this rich treasury. o, how a kiss revives poor isabel! _k. edw._ once more receive my hand; and let this be a second marriage 'twixt thyself and me. _q. isab._ and may it prove more happy than the first! my gentle lord, bespeak these nobles fair, that wait attendance for a gracious look, and on their knees salute your majesty. _k. edw._ courageous lancaster, embrace thy king; and, as gross vapours perish by the sun, even so let hatred with thy sovereign's smile: live thou with me as my companion. _lan._ this salutation overjoys my heart. _k. edw._ warwick shall be my chiefest counsellor: these silver hairs will more adorn my court than gaudy silks or rich embroidery. chide me, sweet warwick, if i go astray. _war._ slay me, my lord, when i offend your grace. _k. edw._ in solemn triumphs and in public shows pembroke shall bear the sword before the king. _pem._ and with this sword pembroke will fight for you. _k. edw._ but wherefore walks young mortimer aside? be thou commander of our royal fleet; or, if that lofty office like thee not, i make thee here lord marshal of the realm. _y. mor._ my lord, i'll marshal so your enemies, as england shall be quiet, and you safe. _k. edw._ and as for you, lord mortimer of chirke, whose great achievements in our foreign war deserve no common place nor mean reward, be you the general of the levied troops that now are ready to assail the scots. _e. mor._ in this your grace hath highly honour'd me, for with my nature war doth best agree. _q. isab._ now is the king of england rich and strong, having the love of his renowmed peers. _k. edw._ ay, isabel, ne'er was my heart so light.-- clerk of the crown, direct our warrant forth, for gaveston, to ireland! _enter_ beaumont _with warrant._ beaumont, fly as fast as iris or jove's mercury. _beau._ it shall be done, my gracious lord. [_exit._ _k. edw._ lord mortimer, we leave you to your charge. now let us in, and feast it royally. against our friend the earl of cornwall comes we'll have a general tilt and tournament; and then his marriage shall be solemnis'd; for wot you not that i have made him sure unto our cousin, the earl of glocester's heir? _lan._ such news we hear, my lord. _k. edw._ that day, if not for him, yet for my sake, who in the triumph will be challenger, spare for no cost; we will requite your love. _war._ in this or aught your highness shall command us. _k. edw._ thanks, gentle warwick. come, lets in and revel. [_exeunt all except the elder mortimer and the younger mortimer._ _e. mor._ nephew, i must to scotland; thou stay'st here. leave now to oppose thyself against the king: thou seest by nature he is mild and calm; and, seeing his mind so dotes on gaveston, let him without controlment have his will. the mightiest kings have had their minions; great alexander lov'd hephæstion, the conquering hercules for hylas wept, and for patroclus stern achilles droop'd and not kings only, but the wisest men; the roman tully lov'd octavius, grave socrates wild alcibiades. then let his grace, whose youth is flexible, and promiseth as much as we can wish, freely enjoy that vain light-headed earl; for riper years will wean him from such toys. _y. mor._ uncle, his wanton humour grieves not me; but this i scorn, that one so basely-born should by his sovereign's favour grow so pert, and riot it with the treasure of the realm, while soldiers mutiny for want of pay. he wears a lord's revenue on his back, and, midas-like, he jets it in the court, with base outlandish cullions at his heels, whose proud fantastic liveries make such show as if that proteus, god of shapes, appear'd. i have not seen a dapper jack so brisk: he wears a short italian hooded cloak, larded with pearl, and in his tuscan cap a jewel of more value than the crown. while others walk below, the king and he, from out a window, laugh at such as we, and flout our train, and jest at our attire. uncle, 'tis this that makes me impatient. _e. mor._ but, nephew, now you see the king is chang'd. _y. mor._ then so i am, and live to do him service: but, whiles i have a sword, a hand, a heart, i will not yield to any such upstart. you know my mind: come, uncle, let's away. [_exeunt._ _enter the younger_ spenser _and_ baldock. _bald._ spenser, seeing that our lord the earl of glocester's dead, which of the nobles dost thou mean to serve? _y. spen._ not mortimer, nor any of his side, because the king and he are enemies. baldock, learn this of me: a factious lord shall hardly do himself good, much less us; but he that hath the favour of a king may with one word advance us while we live. the liberal earl of cornwall is the man on whose good fortune spenser's hope depends. _bald._ what, mean you, then, to be his follower? _y. spen._ no, his companion; for he loves me well, and would have once preferr'd me to the king. _bald._ but he is banish'd; there's small hope of him. _y. spen._ ay, for a while; but, baldock, mark the end. a friend of mine told me in secrecy that he's repeal'd and sent for back again; and even now a post came from the court with letters to our lady from the king; and, as she read, she smil'd; which makes me think it is about her lover gaveston. _bald._ 'tis like enough; for, since he was exil'd, she neither walks abroad nor comes in sight. but i had thought the match had been broke off, and that his banishment had chang'd her mind. _y. spen._ our lady's first love is not wavering; my life for thine, she will have gaveston. _bald._ then hope i by her means to be preferr'd, having read unto her since she was a child. _y. spen._ then, baldock, you must cast the scholar off, and learn to court it like a gentleman. 'tis not a black coat and a little band, a velvet-cap'd cloak, fac'd before with serge, and smelling to a nosegay all the day, or holding of a napkin in your hand, or saying a long grace at a table's end, or making low legs to a nobleman, or looking downward, with your eye-lids close, and saying, "truly, an't may please your honour," can get you any favour with great men: you must be proud, bold, pleasant, resolute, and now and then stab, as occasion serves. _bald._ spenser, thou know'st i hate such formal toys, and use them but of mere hypocrisy. mine old lord, whiles he liv'd, was so precise, that he would take exceptions at my buttons, and, being like pins' heads, blame me for the bigness; which made me curate-like in mine attire, though inwardly licentious enough, and apt for any kind of villany. i am none of these common pedants, i, that cannot speak without _propterea quod._ _y. spen._ but one of those that saith _quando-quidem,_ and hath a special gift to form a verb. _bald._ leave off this jesting; here my lady comes. _enter_ king edward's niece. _niece._ the grief for his exile was not so much as is the joy of his returning home. this letter came from my sweet gaveston: what need'st thou, love, thus to excuse thyself? i know thou couldst not come and visit me. [_reads._ _i will not long be from thee, though i die;--_ this argues the entire love of my lord;-- [_reads._ _when i forsake thee, death seize on my heart!--_ but stay thee here where gaveston shall sleep. [_puts the letter into her bosom._ now to the letter of my lord the king: he wills me to repair unto the court, and meet my gaveston: why do i stay, seeing that he talks thus of my marriage day?-- who's there? baldock! see that my coach be ready; i must hence. _bald._ it shall be done, madam. _niece._ and meet me at the park-pale presently [_exit baldock._ spenser, stay you, and bear me company, for i have joyful news to tell thee of; my lord of cornwall is a-coming over, and will be at the court as soon as we. _y. spen._ i knew the king would have him home again. _niece._ if all things sort out, as i hope they will, thy service, spenser, shall be thought upon. _y. spen._ i humbly thank your ladyship. _niece._ come, lead the way: i long till i am there. [_exeunt._ _enter_ king edward, queen isabella, kent, lancaster, _the younger_ mortimer, warwick, pembroke, _and_ attendants. _k. edw._ the wind is good; i wonder why he stays: i fear me he is wreck'd upon the sea. _q. isab._ look, lancaster, how passionate he is, and still his mind runs on his minion! _lan._ my lord,-- _k. edw._ how now! what news? is gaveston arriv'd? _y. mor._ nothing but gaveston! what means your grace? you have matters of more weight to think upon: the king of france sets foot in normandy. _k. edw._ a trifle! we'll expel him when we please. but tell me, mortimer, what's thy device against the stately triumph we decreed? _y. mor._ a homely one, my lord, not worth the telling. _k. edw._ pray thee, let me know it. _y. mor._ but, seeing you are so desirous, thus it is; a lofty cedar tree, fair flourishing, on whose top branches kingly eagles perch, and by the bark a canker creeps me up, and gets unto the highest bough of all; the motto, _Æque tandem._ _k. edw._ and what is yours, my lord of lancaster? _lan._ my lord, mine's more obscure than mortimer's. pliny reports, there is a flying-fish which all the other fishes deadly hate, and therefore, being pursu'd, it takes the air: no sooner is it up, but there's a fowl that seizeth it: this fish, my lord, i bear; the motto this, _undique mors est._ _kent._ proud mortimer! ungentle lancaster! is this the love you bear your sovereign? is this the fruit your reconcilement bears? can you in words make show of amity, and in your shields display your rancorous minds? what call you this but private libelling against the earl of cornwall and my brother? _q. isab._ sweet husband, be content; they all love you. _k. edw._ they love me not that hate my gaveston. i am that cedar; shake me not too much; and you the eagles; soar ye ne'er so high, i have the jesses that will pull you down; and _Æque tandem_ shall that canker cry unto the proudest peer of britainy. thou that compar'st him to a flying-fish, and threaten'st death whether he rise or fall, 'tis not the hugest monster of the sea, nor foulest harpy, that shall swallow him. _y. mor._ if in his absence thus he favours him, what will he do whenas he shall be present? _lan._ that shall we see: look, where his lordship come! _enter_ gaveston. _k. edw._ my gaveston! welcome to tynmouth! welcome to thy friend! thy absence made me droop and pine away; for, as the lovers of fair danaë, when she was lock'd up in a brazen tower, desir'd her more, and wax'd outrageous, so did it fare with me: and now thy sight is sweeter far than was thy parting hence bitter and irksome to my sobbing heart. _gav._ sweet lord and king, your speech preventeth mine; yet have i words left to express my joy: the shepherd, nipt with biting winter's rage, frolics not more to see the painted spring than i do to behold your majesty. _k. edw._ will none of you salute my gaveston? _lan._ salute him! yes.--welcome, lord chamberlain! _y. mor._ welcome is the good earl of cornwall! _war._ welcome, lord governor of the isle of man! _pem._ welcome, master secretary! _kent._ brother, do you hear them? _k. edw._ still will these earls and barons use me thus? _gav._ my lord, i cannot brook these injuries. _q. isab._ ay me, poor soul, when these begin to jar! [_aside._ _k. edw._ return it to their throats; i'll be thy warrant. _gav._ base, leaden earls, that glory in your birth, go sit at home, and eat your tenants' beef; and come not here to scoff at gaveston, whose mounting thoughts did never creep so low as to bestow a look on such as you. _lan._ yet i disdain not to do this for you. [_draws his sword, and offers to stab gaveston._ _k. edw._ treason! treason! where's the traitor? _pem._ here, here! _k. edw._ convey hence gaveston; they'll murder him. _gav._ the life of thee shall salve this foul disgrace. _y. mor._ villain, thy life! unless i miss mine aim. [_wounds gaveston._ _q. isab._ ah, furious mortimer, what hast thou done. _y. mor._ no more than i would answer, were he slain. [_exit gaveston with attendants._ _k. edw._ yes, more than thou canst answer, though he live: dear shall you both abide this riotous deed: out of my presence! come not near the court. _y. mor._ i'll not be barr'd the court for gaveston. _lan._ we'll hale him by the ears unto the block. _k. edw._ look to your own heads; his is sure enough. _war._ look to your own crown, if you back him thus. _kent._ warwick, these words do ill beseem thy years. _k. edw._ nay, all of them conspire to cross me thus: but, if i live, i'll tread upon their heads that think with high looks thus to tread me down. come, edmund, let's away, and levy men: 'tis war that must abate these barons' pride. [_exeunt king edward, queen isabella, and kent._ _war._ let's to our castles, for the king is mov'd. _y. mor._ mov'd may he be, and perish in his wrath! _lan._ cousin, it is no dealing with him now; he means to make us stoop by force of arms: and therefore let us jointly here protest to prosecute that gaveston to the death. _y. mor._ by heaven, the abject villain shall not live! _war._ i'll have his blood, or die in seeking it. _pem._ the like oath pembroke takes. _lan._ and so doth lancaster. now send our heralds to defy the king; and make the people swear to put him down. _enter a_ messenger. _y. mor._ letters! from whence? _mes._ from scotland, my lord. [_giving letters to mortimer._ _lan._ why, how now, cousin! how fare all our friends? _y. mor._ my uncle's taken prisoner by the scots. _lan._ we'll have him ransom'd, man: be of good cheer. _y. mor._ they rate his ransom at five thousand pound. who should defray the money but the king, seeing he is taken prisoner in his wars? i'll to the king. _lan._ do, cousin, and i'll bear thee company. _war._ meantime my lord of pembroke and myself will to newcastle here, and gather head. _y. mor._ about it, then, and we will follow you. _lan._ be resolute and full of secrecy. _war._ i warrant you. [_exit with pembroke._ _y. mor._ cousin, an if he will not ransom him, i'll thunder such a peal into his ears as never subject did unto his king. _lan._ content; i'll bear my part.--hollo! who's there? _enter_ guard. _y. mor._ ay, marry, such a guard as this doth well. _lan._ lead on the way. _guard._ whither will your lordships? _y. mor._ whither else but to the king? _guard._ his highness is dispos'd to be alone. _lan._ why, so he may; but we will speak to him. _guard._ you may not in, my lord. _y. mor._ may we not? _enter_ king edward _and_ kent. _k. edw._ how now! what noise is this? who have we here? is't you? [_going._ _y. mor._ nay, stay, my lord; i come to bring you news; mine uncle's taken prisoner by the scots. _k. edw._ then ransom him. _lan._ 'twas in your wars; you should ransom him. _y. mor._ and you will ransom him, or else-- _kent._ what, mortimer, you will not threaten him? _k. edw._ quiet yourself; you shall have the broad seal, to gather for him th[o]roughout the realm. _lan._ your minion gaveston hath taught you this. _y. mor._ my lord, the family of the mortimers are not so poor, but, would they sell their land, 'twould levy men enough to anger you. we never beg, but use such prayers as these. _k. edw._ shall i still be haunted thus? _y. mor._ nay, now you are here alone, i'll speak my mind. _lan._ and so will i; and then, my lord, farewell. _y. mor._ the idle triumphs, masks, lascivious shows, and prodigal gifts bestow'd on gaveston, have drawn thy treasury dry, and made thee weak; the murmuring commons, overstretched, break. _lan._ look for rebellion, look to be depos'd: thy garrisons are beaten out of france, and, lame and poor, lie groaning at the gates; the wild oneil, with swarms of irish kerns, lives uncontroll'd within the english pale; unto the walls of york the scots make road, and, unresisted, drive away rich spoils. _y. mor._ the haughty dane commands the narrow seas, while in the harbour ride thy ships unrigg'd. _lan._ what foreign prince sends thee ambassadors? _y. mor._ who loves thee, but a sort of flatterers? _lan._ thy gentle queen, sole sister to valois, complains that thou hast left her all forlorn. _y. mor._ thy court is naked, being bereft of those that make a king seem glorious to the world, i mean the peers, whom thou shouldst dearly love; libels are cast against thee in the street; ballads and rhymes made of thy overthrow. _lan._ the northern borderers, seeing their houses burnt, their wives and children slain, run up and down, cursing the name of thee and gaveston. _y. mor._ when wert thou in the field with banner spread, but once? and then thy soldiers march'd like players, with garish robes, not armour; and thyself, bedaub'd with gold, rode laughing at the rest, nodding and shaking of thy spangled crest, where women's favours hung like labels down. _lan._ and thereof came it that the fleering scots, to england's high disgrace, have made this jig; _maids of england, sore may you mourn, for your lemans you have lost at bannocksbourn,-- with a heave and a ho! what weeneth the king of england so soon to have won scotland!-- with a rombelow!_ _y. mor._ wigmore shall fly, to set my uncle free. _lan._ and, when 'tis gone, our swords shall purchase more. if you be mov'd, revenge it as you can: look next to see us with our ensigns spread. [_exit with y. mortimer._ _k. edw._ my swelling heart for very anger breaks: how oft have i been baited by these peers, and dare not be reveng'd, for their power is great! yet, shall the crowning of these cockerels affright a lion? edward, unfold thy paws, and let their lives'-blood slake thy fury's hunger. if i be cruel and grow tyrannous, now let them thank themselves, and rue too late. _kent._ my lord, i see your love to gaveston will be the ruin of the realm and you, for now the wrathful nobles threaten wars; and therefore, brother, banish him for ever. _k. edw._ art thou an enemy to my gaveston? _kent._ ay; and it grieves me that i favour'd him. _k. edw._ traitor, be gone! whine thou with mortimer. _kent._ so will i, rather than with gaveston. _k. edw._ out of my sight, and trouble me no more! _kent._ no marvel though thou scorn thy noble peers, when i thy brother am rejected thus. _k. edw._ away! [_exit kent._ poor gaveston, thou hast no friend but me! do what they can, we'll live in tynmouth here; and, so i walk with him about the walls, what care i though the earls begirt us round? here comes she that is cause of all these jars. _enter_ queen isabella, _with_ edward's niece, _two_ ladies, gaveston, baldock, _and the younger_ spenser. _q. isab._ my lord, 'tis thought the earls are up in arms. _k. edw._ ay, and 'tis likewise thought you favour 'em. _q. isab._ thus do you still suspect me without cause. _niece._ sweet uncle, speak more kindly to the queen. _gav._ my lord, dissemble with her; speak her fair. _k. edw._ pardon me, sweet; i forgot myself. _q. isab._ your pardon is quickly got of isabel. _k. edw._ the younger mortimer is grown so brave, that to my face he threatens civil wars. _gav._ why do you not commit him to the tower? _k. edw._ i dare not, for the people love him well. _gav._ why, then, we'll have him privily made away. _k. edw._ would lancaster and he had both carous'd a bowl of poison to each other's health! but let them go, and tell me what are these. _niece._ two of my father's servants whilst he liv'd: may't please your grace to entertain them now. _k. edw._ tell me, where wast thou born? what is thine arms? _bald._ my name is baldock, and my gentry i fetch from oxford, not from heraldry. _k. edw._ the fitter art thou, baldock, for my turn. wait on me, and i'll see thou shalt not want. _bald._ i humbly thank your majesty. _k. edw._ knowest thou him, gaveston. _gav._ ay, my lord; his name is spenser; he is well allied: for my sake let him wait upon your grace; scarce shall you find a man of more desert. _k. edw._ then, spenser, wait upon me for his sake: i'll grace thee with a higher style ere long. _y. spen._ no greater titles happen unto me than to be favour'd of your majesty! _k. edw._ cousin, this day shall be your marriage feast:-- and, gaveston, think that i love thee well, to wed thee to our niece, the only heir unto the earl of glocester late deceas'd. _gav._ i know, my lord, many will stomach me; but i respect neither their love nor hate. _k. edw._ the headstrong barons shall not limit me; he that i list to favour shall be great. come, let's away; and, when the marriage ends, have at the rebels and their complices! [_exeunt._ _enter_ kent, lancaster, _the younger_ mortimer, warwick, pembroke, _and others._ _kent._ my lords, of love to this our native land, i come to join with you, and leave the king; and in your quarrel, and the realm's behoof, will be the first that shall adventure life. _lan._ i fear me, you are sent of policy, to undermine us with a show of love. _war._ he is your brother; therefore have we cause to cast the worst, and doubt of your revolt. _kent._ mine honour shall be hostage of my truth: if that will not suffice, farewell, my lords. _y. mor._ stay, edmund: never was plantagenet false of his word; and therefore trust we thee. _pem._ but what's the reason you should leave him now? _kent._ i have inform'd the earl of lancaster. _lan._ and it sufficeth. now, my lords, know this, that gaveston is secretly arriv'd, and here in tynmouth frolics with the king. let us with these our followers scale the walls, and suddenly surprise them unawares. _y. mor._ i'll give the onset. _war._ and i'll follow thee. _y. mor._ this tatter'd ensign of my ancestors, which swept the desert shore of that dead sea whereof we got the name of mortimer, will i advance upon this castle ['s] walls-- drums, strike alarum, raise them from their sport, and ring aloud the knell of gaveston! _lan._ none be so hardy as to touch the king; but neither spare you gaveston nor his friends. [_exeunt._ _enter, severally_ king edward _and the younger_ spenser. _k. edw._ o, tell me, spenser, where is gaveston? _y. spen._ i fear me he is slain, my gracious lord. _k. edw._ no, here he comes; now let them spoil and kill. _enter_ queen isabella, king edward's niece, gaveston, _and_ nobles. fly, fly, my lords; the earls have got the hold; take shipping, and away to scarborough: spenser and i will post away by land. _gav._ o, stay, my lord! they will not injure you. _k. edw._ i will not trust them. gaveston, away! _gav._ farewell, my lord. _k. edw._ lady, farewell. _niece._ farewell, sweet uncle, till we meet again. _k. edw._ farewell, sweet gaveston; and farewell, niece. _q. isab._ no farewell to poor isabel thy queen? _k. edw._ yes, yes, for mortimer your lover's sake. _q. isab._ heavens can witness, i love none but you. [_exeunt all except queen isabella._ from my embracements thus he breaks away. o, that mine arms could close this isle about, that i might pull him to me where i would! or that these tears, that drizzle from mine eyes, had power to mollify his stony heart, that, when i had him, we might never part! _enter_ lancaster, warwick, _the younger_ mortimer, _and others. alarums within._ _lan._ i wonder how he scap'd. _y. mor._ who's this? the queen! _q. isab._ ay, mortimer, the miserable queen, whose pining heart her inward sighs have blasted, and body with continual mourning wasted: these hands are tir'd with haling of my lord from gaveston, from wicked gaveston; and all in vain; for, when i speak him fair, he turns away, and smiles upon his minion. _y. mor._ cease to lament, and tell us where's the king? _q. isab._ what would you with the king? is't him you seek? _lan._ no, madam, but that cursed gaveston: far be it from the thought of lancaster to offer violence to his sovereign! we would but rid the realm of gaveston: tell us where he remains, and he shall die. _q. isab._ he's gone by water unto scarborough: pursue him quickly, and he cannot scape; the king hath left him, and his train is small. _war._ forslow no time, sweet lancaster; let's march. _y. mor._ how comes it that the king and he is parted? _q. isab._ that thus your army, going several ways, might be of lesser force, and with the power that he intendeth presently to raise, be easily suppress'd: therefore be gone. _y. mor._ here in the river rides a flemish hoy: let's all aboard, and follow him amain. _lan._ the wind that bears him hence will fill our sails; come, come, aboard! 'tis but an hour's sailing. _y. mor._ madam, stay you within this castle here. _q. isab._ no, mortimer; i'll to my lord the king. _y. mor._ nay, rather sail with us to scarborough. _q. isab._ you know the king is so suspicious as, if he hear i have but talk'd with you, mine honour will be call'd in question; and therefore, gentle mortimer, be gone. _y. mor._ madam, i cannot stay to answer you: but think of mortimer as he deserves. [_exeunt all except queen isabella._ _q. isab._ so well hast thou deserv'd, sweet mortimer, as isabel could live with thee for ever. in vain i look for love at edward's hand, whose eyes are fix'd on none but gaveston. yet once more i'll importune him with prayer: if he be strange, and not regard my words, my son and i will over into france, and to the king my brother there complain how gaveston hath robb'd me of his love: but yet, i hope, my sorrows will have end, and gaveston this blessed day be slain. [_exit._ _enter_ gaveston, _pursued._ _gav._ yet, lusty lords, i have escap'd your hands, your threats, your 'larums, and your hot pursuits; and, though divorced from king edward's eyes, yet liveth pierce of gaveston unsurpris'd, breathing in hope (malgrado all your beards, that muster rebels thus against your king) to see his royal sovereign once again. _enter_ warwick, lancaster, pembroke, _the younger_ mortimer, soldiers, james _and other_ attendants _of_ penbroke. _war._ upon him, soldiers! take away his weapons! _y. mor._ thou proud disturber of thy country's peace, corrupter of thy king, cause of these broils, base flatterer, yield! and, were it not for shame, shame and dishonour to a soldier's name, upon my weapon's point here shouldst thou fall, and welter in thy gore. _lan._ monster of men, that, like the greekish strumpet, train'd to arms and bloody wars so many valiant knights, look for no other fortune, wretch, than death! king edward is not here to buckler thee. _war._ lancaster, why talk'st thou to the slave?-- go, soldiers, take him hence; for, by my sword, his head shall off.--gaveston, short warning shall serve thy turn: it is our country's cause that here severely we will execute upon thy person.--hang him at a bough. _gav._ my lord,-- _war._ soldiers, have him away.-- but, for thou wert the favourite of a king, thou shalt have so much honour at our hands. _gav._ i thank you all, my lords: then i perceive that heading is one, and hanging is the other, and death is all. _enter_ arundel. _lan._ how now, my lord of arundel! _arun._ my lords, king edward greets you all by me. _war._ arundel, say your message. _arun._ his majesty, hearing that you had taken gaveston, entreateth you by me, yet but he may see him before he dies; for why, he says, and sends you word, he knows that die he shall; and, if you gratify his grace so far, he will be mindful of the courtesy. _war._ how now! _gav._ renowmed edward, how thy name revives poor gaveston! _war._ no, it needeth not: arundel, we will gratify the king in other matters; he must pardon us in this.-- soldiers, away with him! _gav._ why, my lord of warwick, will now these short delays beget my hopes? i know it, lords, it is life you aim at, yet grant king edward this. _y. mor._ shalt thou appoint what we shall grant?--soldiers, away with him!-- thus we'll gratify the king; we'll send his head by thee; let him bestow his tears on that, for that is all he gets of gaveston, or else his senseless trunk. _lan._ not so, my lord, lest he bestow more cost in burying him than he hath ever earn'd. _arun._ my lords, it is his majesty's request, and in the honour of a king he swears, he will but talk with him, and send him back. _war._ when, can you tell? arundel, no; we wot he that the care of his realm remits, and drives his nobles to these exigents for gaveston, will, if he seize him once, violate any promise to possess him. _arun._ then, if you will not trust his grace in keep, my lords, i will be pledge for his return. _y. mor._ 'tis honourable in thee to offer this; but, for we know thou art a noble gentleman, we will not wrong thee so, to make away a true man for a thief. _gav._ how mean'st thou, mortimer? that is over-base. _y. mor._ away, base groom, robber of king's renown! question with thy companions and mates. _pem._ my lord mortimer, and you, my lords, each one, to gratify the king's request therein, touching the sending of this gaveston, because his majesty so earnestly desires to see the man before his death, i will upon mine honour undertake to carry him, and bring him back again; provided this, that you, my lord of arundel, will join with me. _war._ pembroke, what wilt thou do? cause yet more bloodshed? is it not enough that we have taken him, but must we now leave him on "had i wist," and let him go? _pem._ my lords, i will not over-woo your honours: but, if you dare trust pembroke with the prisoner, upon mine oath, i will return him back. _arun._ my lord of lancaster, what say you in this? _lan._ why, i say, let him go on pembroke's word. _pem._ and you, lord mortimer? _y. mor._ how say you, my lord of warwick? _war._ nay, do your pleasures: i know how 'twill prove. _pem._ then give him me. _gav._ sweet sovereign, yet i come to see thee ere i die! _war._ yet not perhaps, if warwick's wit and policy prevail. [_aside._ _y. mor._ my lord of pembroke, we deliver him you: return him on your honour.--sound, away! [_exeunt all except pembroke, arundel, gaveston, james and other attendants of pembroke._ _pem._ my lord, you shall go with me: my house is not far hence; out of the way a little; but our men shall go along. we that have pretty wenches to our wives, sir, must not come so near to balk their lips. _arun._ 'tis very kindly spoke, my lord of pembroke: your honour hath an adamant of power to draw a prince. _pem._ so, my lord.--come hither, james: i do commit this gaveston to thee; be thou this night his keeper; in the morning we will discharge thee of thy charge: be gone. _gav._ unhappy gaveston, whither go'st thou now? [_exit with james and other attendants of pembroke._ _horse-boy._ my lord, we'll quickly be at cobham. [_exeunt._ _enter_ gaveston _mourning,_ james _and other_ attendants _of_ pembroke. _gav._ o treacherous warwick, thus to wrong thy friend! _james._ i see it is your life these arms pursue. _gav._ weaponless must i fall, and die in bands? o, must this day be period of my life, centre of all my bliss? and ye be men, speed to the king. _enter_ warwick _and_ soldiers. _war._ my lord of pembroke's men, strive you no longer: i will have that gaveston. _james._ your lordship doth dishonour to yourself, and wrong our lord, your honourable friend. _war._ no, james, it is my country's cause i follow.-- go, take the villain: soldiers, come away; we'll make quick work.--commend me to your master, my friend, and tell him that i watch'd it well.-- come, let thy shadow parley with king edward. _gav._ treacherous earl, shall i not see the king? _war._ the king of heaven perhaps, no other king.-- away! [_exeunt warwick and soldiers with gaveston._ _james._ come, fellows: it booted not for us to strive: we will in haste go certify our lord. [_exeunt._ _enter_ king edward, _the younger_ spenser, baldock, noblemen _of the king's side, and_ soldiers _with drums and fifes._ _k. edw._ i long to hear an answer from the barons touching my friend, my dearest gaveston. ah, spenser, not the riches of my realm can ransom him! ah, he is mark'd to die! i know the malice of the younger mortimer; warwick i know is rough, and lancaster inexorable; and i shall never see my lovely pierce of gaveston again: the barons overbear with me their pride. _y. spen._ were i king edward, england's sovereign, son to the lovely eleanor of spain, great edward longshanks' issue, would i bear these braves, this rage, and suffer uncontroll'd these barons thus to beard me in my land, in mine own realm? my lord, pardon my speech: did you retain your father's magnanimity, did you regard the honour of your name, you would not suffer thus your majesty be counterbuff'd of your nobility. strike off their heads, and let them preach on poles: no doubt, such lessons they will teach the rest, as by their preachments they will profit much, and learn obedience to their lawful king. _k. edw._ yes, gentle spenser, we have been too mild, too kind to them; but now have drawn our sword, and, if they send me not my gaveston, we'll steel it on their crest[s], and poll their tops. _bald._ this haught resolve becomes your majesty, not to be tied to their affection, as though your highness were a school-boy still, and must be aw'd and govern'd like a child. _enter the elder_ spenser _with his truncheon, and_ soldiers. _e. spen._ long live my sovereign, the noble edward, in peace triumphant, fortunate in wars! _k. edw._ welcome, old man: com'st thou in edward's aid? then tell thy prince of whence and what thou art. _e. spen._ low, with a band of bow-men and of pikes, brown bills and targeteers, four hundred strong, sworn to defend king edward's royal right, i come in person to your majesty, spenser, the father of hugh spenser there, bound to your highness everlastingly for favour done, in him, unto us all. _k. edw._ thy father, spenser? _y. spen._ true, an it like your grace, that pours, in lieu of all your goodness shown, his life, my lord, before your princely feet. _k. edw._ welcome ten thousand times, old man, again! spenser, this love, this kindness to thy king, argues thy noble mind and disposition. spenser, i here create thee earl of wiltshire, and daily will enrich thee with our favour, that, as the sunshine, shall reflect o'er thee. beside, the more to manifest our love, because we hear lord bruce doth sell his land, and that the mortimers are in hand withal, thou shalt have crowns of us t'outbid the barons; and, spenser, spare them not, lay it on.-- soldiers, a largess, and thrice-welcome all! _y. spen._ my lord, here comes the queen. _enter_ queen isabella, prince edward, _and_ levune. _k. edw._ madam, what news? _q. isab._ news of dishonour, lord, and discontent. our friend levune, faithful and full of trust, informeth us, by letters and by words, that lord valois our brother, king of france, because your highness hath been slack in homage, hath seized normandy into his hands: these be the letters, this the messenger. _k. edw._ welcome, levune.--tush, sib, if this be all, valois and i will soon be friends again.-- but to my gaveston: shall i never see, never behold thee now!--madam, in this matter we will employ you and your little son; you shall go parley with the king of france.-- boy, see you bear you bravely to the king, and do your message with a majesty. _p. edw._ commit not to my youth things of more weight than fits a prince so young as i to bear; and fear not, lord and father,--heaven's great beams on atlas' shoulder shall not lie more safe than shall your charge committed to my trust. _q. isab._ ah, boy, this towardness makes thy mother fear thou art not mark'd to many days on earth! _k. edw._ madam, we will that you with speed be shipp'd, and this our son; levune shall follow you with all the haste we can despatch him hence. choose of our lords to bear you company; and go in peace; leave us in wars at home. _q. isab._ unnatural wars, where subjects brave their king: god end them once!--my lord, i take my leave, to make my preparation for france. [_exit with prince edward._ _enter_ arundel. _k. edw._ what, lord arundel, dost thou come alone? _arun._ yea, my good lord, for gaveston is dead. _k. edw._ ah, traitors, have they put my friend to death? tell me, arundel, died he ere thou cam'st, or didst thou see my friend to take his death? _arun._ neither, my lord; for, as he was surpris'd, begirt with weapons and with enemies round, i did your highness' message to them all, demanding him of them, entreating rather, and said, upon the honour of my name, that i would undertake to carry him unto your highness, and to bring him back. _k. edw._ and, tell me, would the rebels deny me that? _y. spen._ proud recreants! _k. edw._ yea, spenser, traitors all! _arun._ in found them at the first inexorable; the earl of warwick would not bide the hearing, mortimer hardly; pembroke and lancaster spake least; and when they flatly had denied, refusing to receive me pledge for him, the earl of pembroke mildly thus bespake; "my lord, because our sovereign sends for him, and promiseth he shall be safe return'd, i will this undertake, to have him hence, and see him re-deliver'd to your hands." _k. edw._ well, and how fortunes [it] that he came not? _y. spen._ some treason or some villany was cause. _arun._ the earl of warwick seiz'd him on his way; for, being deliver'd unto pembroke's men, their lord rode home, thinking his prisoner safe; but, ere he came, warwick in ambush lay, and bare him to his death; and in a trench strake off his head, and march'd unto the camp. _y. spen._ a bloody part, flatly 'gainst law of arms! _k. edw._ o, shall i speak, or shall i sigh and die! _y. spen._ my lord, refer your vengeance to the sword upon these barons; hearten up your men; let them not unreveng'd murder your friends: advance your standard, edward, in the field, and march to fire them from their starting-holes. _k. edw._ [_kneeling._] by earth, the common mother of us all, by heaven, and all the moving orbs thereof, by this right hand, and by my father's sword, and all the honours 'longing to my crown, i will have heads and lives for him as many as i have manors, castles, towns, and towers!-- [_rises._ treacherous warwick! traitorous mortimer! if i be england's king, in lakes of gore your headless trunks, your bodies will i trail, that you may drink your fill, and quaff in blood, and stain my royal standard with the same, that so my bloody colours may suggest remembrance of revenge immortally on your accursed traitorous progeny, you villains that have slain my gaveston!-- and in this place of honour and of trust, spenser, sweet spenser, i adopt thee here; and merely of our love we do create thee earl of glocester and lord chamberlain, despite of times, despite of enemies. _y. spen._ my lord, here's a messenger from the barons desires access unto your majesty. _k. edw._ admit him near. _enter_ herald _with his coat of arms._ _her._ long live king edward, england's lawful lord! _k. edw._ so wish not they, i wis, that sent thee hither: thou com'st from mortimer and his complices: a ranker rout of rebels never was. well, say thy message. _her._ the barons, up in arms, by me salute your highness with long life and happiness; and bid me say, as plainer to your grace, that if without effusion of blood you will this grief have ease and remedy, that from your princely person you remove this spenser, as a putrifying branch that deads the royal vine, whose golden leaves empale your princely head, your diadem; whose brightness such pernicious upstarts dim, say they, and lovingly advise your grace to cherish virtue and nobility, and have old servitors in high esteem, and shake off smooth dissembling flatterers: this granted, they, their honours, and their lives, are to your highness vow'd and consecrate. _y. spen._ ah, traitors, will they still display their pride? _k. edw._ away! tarry no answer, but be gone!-- rebels, will they appoint their sovereign his sports, his pleasures, and his company?-- yet, ere thou go, see how i do divorce [_embraces young spenser._ spenser from thee. now get thee to thy lords, and tell them i will come to chastise them for murdering gaveston: hie thee, get thee gone! edward, with fire and sword, follows at thy heels. [_exit herald._ my lord[s], perceive you how these rebels swell?-- soldiers, good hearts! defend your sovereign's right, for, now, even now, we march to make them stoop. away! [_exeunt. alarums, excursions, a great fight, and a retreat sounded, within._ _re-enter_ king edward, _the elder_ spenser, _the younger_ spenser, baldock, _and_ noblemen _of the king's side._ _k. edw._ why do we sound retreat? upon them, lords! this day i shall your vengeance with my sword on those proud rebels that are up in arms, and do confront and countermand their king. _y. spen._ i doubt it not, my lord; right will prevail. _e. spen._ 'tis not amiss, my liege, for either part to breathe a while; our men, with sweat and dust all chok'd well near, begin to faint for heat; and this retire refresheth horse and man. _y. spen._ here come the rebels. _enter the younger_ mortimer, lancaster, warwick, pembroke, _and others._ _y. mor._ look, lancaster, yonder is edward among his flatterers. _lan._and there let him be, till he pay dearly for their company. _war._ and shall, or warwick's sword shall smite in vain. _k. edw._ what, rebels, do you shrink and sound retreat? _y. mor._ no, edward, no; thy flatterers faint and fly. _lan._ they'd best betimes forsake thee and their trains, for they'll betray thee, traitors as they are. _y. spen._ traitor on thy face, rebellious lancaster! _pem._ away, base upstart! brav'st thou nobles thus? _e. spen._ a noble attempt and honourable deed, is it not, trow ye, to assemble aid and levy arms against your lawful king? _k. edw._ for which, ere long, their heads shall satisfy t' appease the wrath of their offended king. _y. mor._ then, edward, thou wilt fight it to the last, and rather bathe thy sword in subjects' blood than banish that pernicious company? _k. edw._ ay, traitors all, rather than thus be brav'd, make england's civil towns huge heaps of stones, and ploughs to go about our palace-gates. _war._ a desperate and unnatural resolution!-- alarum to the fight! saint george for england, and the barons' right! _k. edw._ saint george for england, and king edward's right! [_alarums. exeunt the two parties severally._ _enter_ king edward _and his followers, with the_ barons _and_ kent _captive._ _k. edw._ now, lusty lords, now not by chance of war, but justice of the quarrel and the cause, vail'd is your pride: methinks you hang the heads but we'll advance them, traitors: now 'tis time to be aveng'd on you for all your braves, and for the murder of my dearest friend, to whom right well you knew our soul was knit, good pierce of gaveston, my sweet favourite: ah, rebels, recreants, you made him away! _kent._ brother, in regard of thee and of thy land, did they remove that flatterer from thy throne. _k. edw._ so, sir, you have spoke: away, avoid our presence! [_exit kent._ accursed wretches, was't in regard of us, when we had sent our messenger to request he might be spar'd to come to speak with us, and pembroke undertook for his return, that thou, proud warwick, watch'd the prisoner, poor pierce, and headed him 'gainst law of arms? for which thy head shall overlook the rest as much as thou in rage outwent'st the rest. _war._ tyrant, i scorn thy threats and menaces; it is but temporal that thou canst inflict. _lan._ the worst is death; and better die to live than live in infamy under such a king. _k. edw._ away with them, my lord of winchester! these lusty leaders, warwick and lancaster, i charge you roundly, off with both their heads! away! _war._ farewell, vain world! _lan._ sweet mortimer, farewell! _y. mor._ england, unkind to thy nobility, groan for this grief! behold how thou art maim'd! _k. edw._ go, take that haughty mortimer to the tower; there see him safe bestow'd; and, for the rest, do speedy execution on them all. be gone! _y. mor._ what, mortimer, can ragged stony walls immure thy virtue that aspires to heaven? no, edward, england's scourge, it may not be; mortimer's hope surmounts his fortune far. [_the captive barons are led off._ _k. edw._ sound, drums and trumpets! march with me, my friends. edward this day hath crown'd him king anew. [_exeunt all except the younger spenser, levune and baldock._ _y. spen._ levune, the trust that we repose in thee begets the quiet of king edward's land: therefore be gone in haste, and with advice bestow that treasure on the lords of france, that, therewith all enchanted, like the guard that suffer'd jove to pass in showers of gold to danaë, all aid may be denied to isabel the queen, that now in france makes friends, to cross the seas with her young son, and step into his father's regiment. _levune._ that's it these barons and the subtle queen long levell'd at. _bal._ yea, but, levune, thou seest, these barons lay their heads on blocks together: what they intend, the hangman frustrates clean. _levune._ have you no doubt, my lords, i'll clap so close among the lords of france with england's gold, that isabel shall make her plaints in vain, and france shall be obdurate with her tears. _y. spen._ then make for france amain; levune, away! proclaim king edward's wars and victories. [_exeunt._ _enter_ kent. _kent._ fair blows the wind for france: blow, gentle gale, till edmund be arriv'd for england's good! nature, yield to my country's cause in this! a brother? no, a butcher of thy friends! proud edward, dost thou banish me thy presence? but i'll to france, and cheer the wronged queen, and certify what edward's looseness is. unnatural king, to slaughter nobleman and cherish flatterers! mortimer, i stay thy sweet escape. stand gracious, gloomy night, to his device! _enter the younger_ mortimer _disguised._ _y. mor._ holla! who walketh there? is't you, my lord? _kent._ mortimer, 'tis i. but hath thy portion wrought so happily? _y. mor._ it hath, my lord: the warders all asleep, i thank them, gave me leave to pass in peace. but hath your grace got shipping unto france? _kent._ fear it not. [_exeunt._ _enter_ queen isabella _and_ prince edward. _q. isab._ ah, boy, our friends do fail us all in france! the lords are cruel, and the king unkind. what shall we do? _p. edw._ madam, return to england, and please my father well; and then a fig for all my uncle's friendship here in france! i warrant you, i'll win his highness quickly; 'a loves me better than a thousand spensers. _q. isab._ ah, boy, thou art deceiv'd, at least in this, to think that we can yet be tun'd together! no, no, we jar too far.--unkind valois! unhappy isabel, when france rejects, whither, o, whither dost thou bend thy steps? _enter_ sir john of hainault. _sir j._ madam, what cheer? _q. isab._ ah, good sir john of hainault, never so cheerless nor so far distrest! _sir j._ i hear, sweet lady, of the king's unkindness: but droop not, madam; noble minds contemn despair. will your grace with me to hainault, and there stay time's advantage with your son?-- how say you, my lord! will you go with your friends, and shake off all our fortunes equally? _p. edw._ so pleaseth the queen my mother, me it likes: the king of england, not the court of france, shall have me from my gracious mother's side, till i be strong enough to break a staff; and then have at the proudest spenser's head! _sir j._ well said, my lord! _q. isab._ o my sweet heart, how do i moan thy wrongs, yet triumph in the hope of thee, my joy!-- ah, sweet sir john, even to the utmost verge of europe, on the shore of tanais, will we with thee to hainault--so we will: the marquis is a noble gentleman; his grace, i dare presume, will welcome me.-- but who are these? _enter_ kent _and the younger_ mortimer. _kent._ madam, long may you live, much happier than your friends in england do! _q. isab._ lord edmund and lord mortimer alive! welcome to france! the news was here, my lord, that you were dead, or very near your death. _y. mor._ lady, the last was truest of the twain: but mortimer, reserv'd for better hap, hath shaken off the thraldom of the tower, and lives t' advance your standard, good my lord. _p. edw._ how mean you, and the king my father lives? no, my lord mortimer, not i, i trow. _q. isab._ not, son! why not? i would it were no worse!-- but, gentle lords, friendless we are in france. _y. mor._ monsieur le grand, a noble friend of yours, told us, at our arrival, all the news,-- how hard the nobles, how unkind the king hath show'd himself: but, madam, right makes room where weapons want; and, though a many friends are made away, as warwick, lancaster, and others of our part and faction, yet have we friends, assure your grace, in england, would cast up caps, and clap their hands for joy, to see us there, appointed for our foes. _kent._ would all were well, and edward well reclaim'd, for england's honour, peace, and quietness! _y. mor._ but by the sword, my lord, 't must be deserv'd: the king will ne'er forsake his flatterers. _sir j._ my lords of england, sith th' ungentle king of france refuseth to give aid of arms to this distressed queen, his sister, here, go you with her to hainault: doubt ye not we will find comfort, money, men, and friends, ere long to bid the english king a base.-- how say'st, young prince, what think you of the match? _p. edw._ i think king edward will outrun us all. _q. isab._ nay, son, not so; and you must not discourage your friends that are so forward in your aid. _kent._ sir john of hainault, pardon us, i pray: these comforts that you give our woful queen bind us in kindness all at your command. _q. isab._ yea, gentle brother:--and the god of heaven prosper your happy motion, good sir john! _y. mor._ this noble gentleman, forward in arms, was born, i see, to be our anchor-hold.-- sir john of hainault, be it thy renown, that england's queen and nobles in distress have been by thee restor'd and comforted. _sir j._ madam, along; and you, my lord[s], with me, that england's peers may hainault's welcome see. [_exeunt._ _enter_ king edward, arundel, _the elder_ spenser, _the younger_ spenser, _and others._ _k. edw._ thus, after many threats of wrathful war, triumpheth england's edward with his friends, and triumph edward with his friends uncontroll'd!-- my lord of glocester, do you hear the news? _y. spen._ what news, my lord? _k. edw._ why, man, they say there is great execution done through the realm.--my lord of arundel, you have the note, have you not? _arun._from the lieutenant of the tower, my lord. _k. edw._ i pray, let us see it. [_takes the note from arundel._ --what have we there?-- read it, spenser. [_gives the note to young spenser, who reads their names._ why, so: they bark'd apace a month ago; now, on my life, they'll neither bark nor bite. now, sirs, the news from france? glocester, i trow, the lords of france love england's gold so well as isabella gets no aid from thence. what now remains? have you proclaim'd, my lord, reward for them can bring in mortimer? _y. spen._ my lord, we have; and, if he be in england, 'a will be had ere long, i doubt it not. _k. edw._ if, dost thou say? spenser, as true as death, he is in england's ground: our port-masters are not so careless of their king's command. _enter a_ messenger. how now! what news with thee? from whence come these? _mess._ letters, my lord, and tidings forth of france: to you, my lord of glocester, from levune. [_gives letters to young spenser._ _k. edw._ read. _y. spen._ [reading.] _my duty to your honour promised, etc., i have, according to instructions in that behalf, dealt with the king of france and his lords, and effected that the queen, all discontented and discomforted, is gone: whither, if you ask, with sir john of hainault, brother to the marquis, into flanders. with them are gone lord edmund and the lord mortimer, having in their company divers of your nation, and others; and, as constant report goeth, they intend to give king edward battle in england, sooner than he can look for them. this is all the news of import. your honour's in all service, levune._ _k. edw._ ah, villains, hath that mortimer escap'd? with him is edmund gone associate? and will sir john of hainault lead the round? welcome, o' god's name, madam, and your son! england shall welcome you and all your rout. gallop apace, bright ph�bus, through the sky; and, dusky night, in rusty iron car, between you both shorten the time, i pray, that i may see that most desired day, when we may meet these traitors in the field! ah, nothing grieves me, but my little boy is thus misled to countenance their ills! come, friends, to bristow, there to make us strong: and, winds, as equal be to bring them in, as you injurious were to bear them forth! [_exeunt._ _enter_ queen isabella, prince edward, kent, _the younger_ mortimer, _and_ sir john of hainault. _q. isab._ now, lords, our loving friends and countrymen, welcome to england all, with prosperous winds! our kindest friends in belgia have we left, to cope with friends at home; a heavy case when force to force is knit, and sword and glaive in civil broils make kin and countrymen slaughter themselves in others, and their sides with their own weapons gor'd! but what's the help? misgovern'd kings are cause of all this wreck; and, edward, thou art one among them all, whose looseness hath betray'd thy land to spoil, who made the channel overflow with blood of thine own people: patron shouldst thou be; but thou-- _y. mor._ nay, madam, if you be a warrior, you must not grow so passionate in speeches.-- lords, sith that we are, by sufferance of heaven, arriv'd and armed in this prince's right, here for our country's cause swear we to him all homage, fealty, and forwardness; and for the open wrongs and injuries edward hath done to us, his queen, and land, we come in arms to wreck it with the sword; that england's queen in peace may repossess her dignities and honours; and withal we may remove these flatterers from the king that havock england's wealth and treasury. _sir j._ sound trumpets, my lord, and forward let us march. edward will think we come to flatter him. _kent._ i would he never had been flatter'd more! [_exeunt._ _enter_ king edward, baldock, _and the younger_ spenser. _y. spen._ fly, fly, my lord! the queen is overstrong; her friends do multiply, and yours do fail. shape we our course to ireland, there to breathe. _k. edw._ what, was i born to fly and run away, and leave the mortimers conquerors behind? give me my horse, and let's reinforce our troops. and in this bed of honour die with fame. _bald._ o, no, my lord! this princely resolution fits not the time: away! we are pursu'd. [_exeunt._ _enter_ kent, _with a sword and target._ _kent._ this way he fled; but i am come too late. edward, alas, my heart relents for thee! proud traitor, mortimer, why dost thou chase thy lawful king, thy sovereign, with thy sword? vile wretch, and why hast thou, of all unkind, borne arms against thy brother and thy king? rain showers of vengeance on my cursed head, thou god, to whom in justice it belongs to punish this unnatural revolt! edward, this mortimer aims at thy life: o, fly him, then! but, edmund, calm this rage; dissemble, or thou diest; for mortimer and isabel do kiss, while they conspire: and yet she bears a face of love, forsooth: fie on that love that hatcheth death and hate! edmund, away! bristow to longshanks' blood is false; be not found single for suspect: proud mortimer pries near into thy walks. _enter_ queen isabella, prince edward, _the younger_ mortimer, _and_ sir john john of hainault. _q. isab._ successful battle gives the god of kings to them that fight in right, and fear in wrath, since, then, successfully we have prevail'd, thanked be heaven's great architect, and you! ere farther we proceed, my noble lords, we here create our well-beloved son, of love and care unto his royal person, lord warden of the realm; and, sith the fates have made his father so infortunate, deal you, my lords, in this, my loving lords, as to your wisdoms fittest seems in all. _kent._ madam, without offence if i may ask how will you deal with edward in his fall? _p. edw._ tell me, good uncle, what edward do you mean? _kent._ nephew, your father; i dare not call him king. _y. mor._ my lord of kent, what needs these questions? 'tis not in her controlment nor in ours; but as the realm and parliament shall please, so shall your brother be disposed of.-- i like not this relenting mood in edmund: madam, 'tis good to look to him betimes. [_aside to the queen._ _q. isab._ my lord, the mayor of bristow knows our mind. _y. mor._ yea, madam; and they scape not easily that fled the field. _q. isab._ baldock is with the king: a goodly chancellor, is he not, my lord? _sir j._ so are the spensers, the father and the son. _y. mor._ this edward is the ruin of the realm. _enter_ rice ap howel _with the elder_ spenser _prisoner, and_ attendants. _rice._ god save queen isabel and her princely son! madam, the mayor and citizens of bristow, in sign of love and duty to this presence, present by me this traitor to the state, spenser, the father to that wanton spenser, that, like the lawless catiline of rome, revell'd in england's wealth and treasury. _isab._ we thank you all. _y. mor._ your loving care in this deserveth princely favours and rewards. but where's the king and the other spenser fled? _rice._ spenser the son, created earl of glocester, is with that smooth-tongu'd scholar baldock gone, and shipp'd but late for ireland with the king. _y. mor._ some whirlwind fetch them back, or sink them all!-- [_aside._ they shall be started thence, i doubt it not. _p. edw._ shall i not see the king my father yet? _kent._ unhappy edward, chas'd from england's bounds! [_aside._ _sir j._ madam, what resteth? why stand you in a muse? _q. isab._ i rue my lord's ill-fortune: but, alas, care of my country call'd me to this war! _y. mor._ madam, have done with care and sad complaint: your king hath wrong'd your country and himself, and we must seek to right it as we may.-- meanwhile have hence this rebel to the block. _e. spen._ rebel is he that fights against the prince: so fought not they that fought in edward's right. _y. mor._ take him away; he prates. [_exeunt attendants with the elder spenser._ you, rice ap howel, shall do good service to her majesty, being of countenance in your country here, to follow these rebellious runagates.-- we in mean while, madam, must take advice. how baldock, spenser, and their complices, may in their fall be follow'd to their end. [_exeunt._ _enter the_ abbot, monks, king edward, _the younger_ spenser, _and_ baldock (_the three latter disguised_). _abbot._ have you no doubt, my lord; have you no fear: as silent and as careful we will be to keep your royal person safe with us, free from suspect, and fell invasion of such as have your majesty in chase, yourself, and those your chosen company, as danger of this stormy time requires. _k. edw._ father, thy face should harbour no deceit. o, hadst thou ever been a king, thy heart, pierc'd deeply with sense of my distress, could not but take compassion of my state! stately and proud in riches and in train, whilom i was, powerful and full of pomp: but what is he whom rule and empery have not in life or death made miserable?-- come, spenser,--come, baldock,--come, sit down by me; make trial now of that philosophy that in our famous nurseries of arts thou suck'dst from plato and from aristotle.-- father, this life contemplative is heaven: o, that i might this life in quiet lead! but we, alas, are chas'd!--and you, my friends, your lives and my dishonour they pursue.-- yet, gentle monks, for treasure, gold, nor fee, do you betray us and our company. _first monk._ your grace may sit secure, if none but we do wot of your abode. _y. spen._ not one alive: but shrewdly i suspect a gloomy fellow in a mead below; 'a gave a long look after us, my lord; and all the land, i know, is up in arms, arms that pursue our lives with deadly hate. _bald._ we were embark'd for ireland; wretched we, with awkward winds and with sore tempests driven, to fall on shore, and here to pine in fear of mortimer and his confederates! _k. edw._ mortimer! who talks of mortimer? who wounds me with the name of mortimer, that bloody man?--good father, on thy lap lay i this head, laden with mickle care. o, might i never ope these eyes again, never again lift up this drooping head, o, never more lift up this dying heart! _y. spen._ look up, my lord.--baldock, this drowsiness betides no good; here even we are betray'd. _enter, with welsh hooks,_ rice ap howel, _a_ mower, _and_ leicester. _mow._ upon my life, these be the men ye seek. _rice._ fellow, enough.--my lord, i pray, be short; a fair commission warrants what we do. _leices._ the queen's commission, urg'd by mortimer: what cannot gallant mortimer with the queen?-- alas, see where he sits, and hopes unseen t'escape their hands that seek to reave his life! too true it is, _quem dies vidit veniens superbum, hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem._ but, leicester, leave to grow so passionate.-- spenser and baldock, by no other names, i arrest you of high treason here. stand not on titles, but obey th' arrest: 'tis in the name of isabel the queen.-- my lord, why droop you thus? _k. edw._ o day, the last of all my bliss on earth! centre of all misfortune! o my stars, why do you lour unkindly on a king? comes leicester, then, in isabella's name, to take my life, my company from me? here, man, rip up this panting breast of mine, and take my heart in rescue of my friends. _rice._ away with them! _y. spen._ it may become thee yet to let us take our farewell of his grace. _abbott._ my heart with pity earns to see this sight; a king to bear these words and proud commands! [_aside._ _k. edw._ spenser, ah, sweet spenser, thus, then, must we part? _y. spen._ we must, my lord; so will the angry heavens. _k. edw._ nay, so will hell and cruel mortimer: the gentle heavens have not to do in this. _bald._ my lord, it is in vain to grieve or storm. here humbly of your grace we take our leaves: our lots are cast; i fear me, so is thine. _k. edw._ in heaven we may, in earth ne'er shall we meet:-- and, leicester, say, what shall become of us? _leices._ your majesty must go to killingworth. _k. edw._ must! it is somewhat hard when kings must go. _leices._ here is a litter ready for your grace, that waits your pleasure, and the day grows old. _rice._ as good be gone, as stay and be benighted. _k. edw._ a litter hast thou? lay me in a hearse, and to the gates of hell convey me hence; let pluto's bells ring out my fatal knell, and hags howl for my death at charon's shore; for friends hath edward none but these, and these must die under a tyrant's sword. _rice._ my lord, be going: care not for these; for we shall see them shorter by the heads. _k. edw._ well, that shall be shall be: part we must; sweet spenser, gentle baldock, part we must.-- hence, feigned weeds! unfeigned are my woes.-- [_throwing off his disguise._ father, farewell.--leicester, thou stay'st for me; and go i must.--life, farewell, with my friends! [_exeunt king edward and leicester._ _y. spen._ o, is he gone? is noble edward gone? parted from hence, never to see us more! rend, sphere of heaven! and, fire, forsake thy orb! earth, melt to air! gone is my sovereign, gone, gone, alas, never to make return! _bald._ spenser, i see our souls are fleeting hence; we are depriv'd the sunshine of our life. make for a new life, man; throw up thy eyes and heart and hand to heaven's immortal throne; pay nature's debt with cheerful countenance; reduce we all our lessons unto this,-- to die, sweet spenser, therefore live we all; spenser, all live to die, and rise to fall. _rice._ come, come, keep these preachments till you come to the place appointed. you, and such as you are, have made wise work in england. will your lordships away? _mow._ your lordship i trust will remember me? _rice._ remember thee, fellow! what else? follow me to the town. [_exeunt._ _enter_ king edward, leicester, _the_ bishop of winchester, _and_ trussel. _leices._ be patient, good my lord, cease to lament; imagine killingworth castle were your court, and that you lay for pleasure here a space, not of compulsion or necessity. _k. edw._ leicester, if gentle words might comfort me, thy speeches long ago had eas'd my sorrows, for kind and loving hast thou always been. the griefs of private men are soon allay'd; but not of kings. the forest deer, being struck, runs to an herb that closeth up the wounds: but when the imperial lion's flesh is gor'd, he rends and tears it with his wrathful paw, [and], highly scorning that the lowly earth should drink his blood, mounts up to the air: and so it fares with me, whose dauntless mind th' ambitious mortimer would seek to curb, and that unnatural queen, false isabel, that thus hath pent and mew'd me in a prison for such outrageous passions cloy my soul, as with the wings of rancour and disdain full oft[ten] am i soaring up to heaven, to plain me to the gods against them both. but when i call to mind i am a king, methinks i should revenge me of my wrongs, that mortimer and isabel have done. but what are kings, when regiment is gone, but perfect shadows in a sunshine day? my nobles rule; i bear the name of king, i wear the crown; but am controll'd by them, by mortimer, and my unconstant queen, who spots my nuptial bed with infamy; whilst i am lodg'd within this cave of care, where sorrow at my elbow still attends, to company my heart with sad laments, that bleeds within me for this strange exchange. but tell me, must i now resign my crown, to make usurping mortimer a king? _bish. of win._ your grace mistakes; it is for england's good, and princely edward's right, we crave the crown. _k. edw._ no, 'tis for mortimer, not edward's head for he's a lamb, emcompassed by wolves, which in a moment will abridge his life. but, if proud mortimer do wear this crown, heavens turn it to a blaze of quenchless fire! or, like the snaky wreath of tisiphon, engirt the temples of his hateful head! so shall not england's vine be perished, but edward's name survive, though edward dies. _leices._ my lord, why waste you thus the time away? they stay your answer: will you yield your crown? _k. edw._ ah, leicester, weigh how hardly i can brook to lose my crown and kingdom without cause; to give ambitious mortimer my right, that, like a mountain, overwhelms my bliss; in which extreme my mind here murder'd is! but that the heavens appoint i must obey.-- here, take my crown; the life of edward too: [_taking off the crown._ two kings in england cannot reign at once. but stay a while: let me be king till night, that i may gaze upon this glittering crown; so shall my eyes receive their last content, my head, the latest honour due to it, and jointly both yield up their wished right. continue ever, thou celestial sun; let never silent night possess this clime; stand still, you watches of the element; all times and seasons, rest you at a stay, that edward may be still fair england's king! but day's bright beams doth vanish fast away, and needs i must resign my wished crown. inhuman creatures, nurs'd with tiger's milk, why gape you for your sovereign's overthrow? my diadem, i mean, and guiltless life. see, monsters, see! i'll wear my crown again. [_putting on the crown._ what, fear you not the fury of your king?-- but, hapless edward, thou art fondly led; they pass not for thy frowns as late they did, but seek to make a new-elected king; which fills my mind with strange despairing thoughts, which thoughts are martyred with endless torments; and in this torment comfort find i none, but that i feel the crown upon my head; and therefore let me wear it yet a while. _trus._ my, lord, the parliament must have present news; and therefore say, will you resign or no? [_the king rageth._ _k. edw._ i'll not resign, but, whilst i live, [be king]. traitors, be gone, and join you with mortimer. elect, conspire, install, do what you will: their blood and yours shall seal these treacheries. _bish. of win._ this answer we'll return; and so, farewell. [_going with trussel._ _leices._ call them again, my lord, and speak them fair; for, if they go, the prince shall lose his right. _k. edw._ call thou them back; i have no power to speak. _leices._ my lord, the king is willing to resign. _bish. of win._ if he be not, let him choose. _k. edw._ o, would i might! but heavens and earth conspire to make me miserable. here, receive my crown. receive it? no, these innocent hands of mine shall not be guilty of so foul a crime; he of you all that most desires my blood, and will be call'd the murderer of a king, take it. what, are you mov'd? pity you me? then send for unrelenting mortimer, and isabel, whose eyes being turn'd to steel will sooner sparkle fire than shed a tear. yet stay; for, rather than i'll look on them, here, here! [_gives the crown._]--now, sweet god of heaven, make me despise this transitory pomp, and sit fot aye enthronised in heaven! come, death, and with thy fingers close my eyes, or, if i live, let me forget myself! _bish. of win._ my lord,-- _k. edw._ call me not lord; away, out of my sight! ah, pardon me! grief makes me lunatic. let not that mortimer protect my son; more safety there is in a tiger's jaws than his embracements. bear this to the queen, wet with my tears, and dried again with sighs: [_gives a handkerchief._ if with the sight thereof she be not mov'd, return it back, and dip it in my blood. commend me to my son, and bid him rule better than i: yet how have i transgress'd, unless it be with too much clemency? _trus._ and thus, most humbly do we take our leave. _k. edw._ farewell. [_exeunt the bishop of winchester and trussel with the crown._ i know the next news that they bring will be my death; and welcome shall it be: to wretched men death is felicity. _leices._ another post! what news brings he? _enter_ berkeley, _who gives a paper to_ leicester. _k. edw._ such news as i expect.--come, berkeley, come, and tell thy message to my naked breast. _berk._ my lord, think not a thought so villanous can harbour in a man of noble birth. to do your highness service and devoir, and save you from your foes, berkeley would die. _leices._ my lord, the council of the queen command that i resign my charge. _k. edw._ and who must keep me now? must you, my lord? _berk._ ay, my most gracious lord; so 'tis decreed. _k. edw._ [_taking the paper._] by mortimer, whose name is written here! well may i rent his name that rends my heart. [_tears it._ this poor revenge hath something eas'd my mind: so may his limbs be torn as is this paper! hear me, immortal jove, and grant it too! _berk._ your grace must hence with me to berkeley straight. _k. edw._ whither you will: all places are alike, and every earth is fit for burial. _leices._ favour him, my lord, as much as lieth in you. _berk._ even so betide my soul as i use him! _k. edw._ mine enemy hath pitied my estate, and that's the cause that i am now remov'd. _berk._ and thinks your grace that berkeley will be cruel? _k. edw._ i know not; but of this am i assur'd, that death ends all, and i can die but once.-- leicester, farewell. _leices._ not yet, my lord; i'll bear you on your way. [_exeunt._ _enter_ queen isabella _and the younger_ mortimer. _y. mor._ fair isabel, now have we our desire; the proud corrupters of the light-brain'd king have done their homage to the lofty gallows, and he himself lies in captivity. be rul'd by me, and we will rule the realm: in any case take heed of childish fear, for now we hold an old wolf by the ears, that, if he slip, will seize upon us both, and gripe the sorer, being grip'd himself. think therefore, madam, that imports us much to erect your son with all the speed we may, and that i be protector over him: for our behoof, 'twill bear the greater sway whenas a king's name shall be under-writ. _q. isab._ sweet mortimer, the life of isabel, be thou persuaded that i love thee well; and therefore, so the prince my son be safe, whom i esteem as dear as these mine eyes, conclude against his father what thou wilt, and i myself will willingly subscribe. _y. mor._ first would i hear news he were depos'd, and then let me alone to handle him. _enter_ messenger. letters! from whence? _mess._ from killingworth, my lord? _q. isab._ how fares my lord the king? _mess._ in health, madam, but full of pensiveness. _q. isab._ alas, poor soul, would i could ease his grief! _enter the_ bishop of winchester _with the crown._ thanks, gentle winchester.-- sirrah, be gone. [_exit messenger._ _bish. of win._ the king hath willingly resign'd his crown. _q. isab._ o, happy news! send for the prince my son. _bish. of win._ further, or this letter was seal'd, lord berkeley came, so that he now is gone from killingworth; and we have heard that edmund laid a plot to set his brother free; nor more but so. the lord of berkeley is so pitiful as leicester that had charge of him before. _q. isab._ then let some other be his guardian. _y. mor._ let me alone; here is the privy-seal,-- [_exit the bish. of win._ who's there? call hither, gurney and matrevis.-- [_to attendants within._ to dash the heavy-headed edmund's drift, berkeley shall be discharg'd, the king remov'd, and none but we shall know where he lieth. _q. isab._ but, mortimer, as long as he survives, what safety rests for us or for my son? _y. mor._ speak, shall he presently be despatch'd and die? _q. isab._ i would he were, so 'twere not by my means! _enter_ matrevis _and_ gurney. _y. mor._ enough.--matrevis, write a letter presently unto the lord of berkeley from ourself, that he resign the king to thee and gurney; and, when 'tis done, we will subscribe our name. _mat._ it shall be done, my lord. [_writes._ _y. mor._ gurney,-- _gur._ my lord? _y. mor._ as thou intend'st to rise by mortimer, who now makes fortune's wheel turn as he please, seek all the means thou canst to make him droop, and neither give him kind word nor good look. _gur._ i warrant you, my lord. _y. mor._ and this above the rest: because we hear that edmund casts to work his liberty, remove him still from place to place by night, till at the last he come to killingworth, and then from thence to berkeley back again; and by the way, to make him fret the more, speak curstly to him; and in any case let no man comfort him, if he chance to weep, but amplify his grief with bitter words. _mat._ fear not, my lord; we'll do as you command. _y. mor._ so, now away! post thitherwards amain. _q. isab._ whither goes this letter? to my lord the king? commend me humbly to his majesty, and tell him that i labour all in vain to ease his grief and work his liberty; and bear him this as witness of my love. [_gives ring._ _mat._ i will, madam. [_exit with gurney._ _y. mor._ finely dissembled! do so still, sweet queen. here comes the young prince with the earl of kent. _q. isab._ something he whispers in his childish ears. _y. mor._ if he have such access unto the prince, our plots and stratagems will soon be dash'd. _q. isab._ use edmund friendly, as if all were well. _enter_ prince edward, _and_ kent _talking with him._ _y. mor._ how fares my honourable lord of kent? _kent._ in health, sweet mortimer.--how fares your grace? _q. isab._ well, if my lord your brother were enlarg'd. _kent._ i hear of late he hath depos'd himself. _q. isab._ the more my grief. _y. mor._ and mine. _kent._ ah, they do dissemble! [_aside._ _q. isab._ sweet son, come hither; i must talk with thee. _y. mor._ you, being his uncle and the next of blood, do look to be protector o'er the prince. _kent._ not i, my lord: who should protect the son, but she that gave him life? i mean the queen. _p. edw._ mother, persuade me not to wear the crown: let him be king; i am too young to reign. _q. isab._ but be content, seeing 'tis his highness' pleasure. _p. edw._ let me but see him first, and then i will. _kent._ ay, do, sweet nephew. _q. isab._ brother, you know it is impossible. _p. edw._ why, is he dead? _q. isab._ no, god forbid! _kent._ i would those words proceeded from your heart! _y. mor._ inconstant edmund, dost thou favour him, that wast a cause of his imprisonment? _kent._ the more cause now have i to make amends. _y. mor._ [_aside to_ q. isab.] i tell thee, 'tis not meet that one so false should come about the person of a prince.-- my lord, he hath betray'd the king his brother, and therefore trust him not. _p. edw._ but he repents, and sorrows for it now. _q. isab._ come, son, and go with this gentle lord and me. _p. edw._ with you i will, but not with mortimer. _y. mor._ why, youngling, 'sdain'st thou so of mortimer? then i will carry thee by force away. _p. edw._ help, uncle kent! mortimer will wrong me. _q. isab._ brother edmund, strive not; we are his friends; isabel is nearer than the earl of kent. _kent._ sister, edward is my charge; redeem him. _q. isab._ edward is my son, and i will keep him. _kent._ mortimer shall know that he hath wronged me. hence will i haste to killingworth castle, and rescue aged edward from his foes, to be reveng'd on mortimer and thee. [_aside._ [_exeunt, on the one side, queen isabella, prince edward and the younger mortimer; on other other, kent._ _enter_ matrevis, gurney, _and_ soldiers, _with_ king edward. _mat._ my lord, be not pensive; we are your friends: men are ordain'd to live in misery; therefore, come; dalliance dangereth our lives. _k. edw._ friends, whither must unhappy edward go? will hateful mortimer appoint no rest? must i be vexed like the nightly bird, whose sight is loathsome to all winged fowls? when will the fury of his mind assuage? when will his heart be satisfied with blood? if mine will serve, unbowel straight this breast, and give my heart to isabel and him: it is the chiefest mark they level at. _gur._not so, my liege: the queen hath given this charge, to keep your grace in safety: your passions make your dolours to increase. _k. edw._ this usage makes my misery increase. but can my air of life continue long, when all my senses are annoy'd with stench? within a dungeon england's king is kept, where i am starv'd for want of sustenance; my daily diet is heart-breaking sobs, that almost rent the closet of my heart: thus lives old edward not reliev'd by any, and so must die, though pitied by many. o, water, gentle friends, to cool my thirst, and clear my body from foul excrements! _mat._ here's channel-water, as our charge is given: sit down, for we'll be barbers to your grace. _k. edw._ traitors, away! what, will you murder me, of choke your sovereign with puddle-water? _gur._ no, but wash your face, and shave away your beard, lest you be known, and so be rescued. _mat._ why strive you thus? your labour is in vain. _k. edw._ the wren may strive against the lion's strength, but all in vain: so vainly do i strive to seek for mercy at a tyrant's hand. [_they wash him with puddle-water, and shave his beard away._ immortal powers, that know the painful cares that wait upon my poor distressed soul, o, level all your looks upon these daring men that wrong their liege and sovereign, england's king! o gaveston, it is for thee that i am wrong'd! for me both thou and both the spensers died; and for your sakes a thousand wrongs i'll take. the spensers' ghosts, wherever they remain, wish well to mine; then, tush, for them i'll die. _mat._ 'twixt theirs and yours shall be no enmity. come, come, away! now put the torches out: we'll enter in by darkness to killingworth. _gur._ how now! who comes there? _enter_ kent. _mat._ guard the king sure: it is the earl of kent. _k. edw._ o gentle brother, help to rescue me! _mat._ keep them asunder; thrust in the king. _kent._ soldiers, let me but talk to him one word. _gur._ lay hands upon the earl for his assault. _kent._ lay down your weapons, traitors! yield the king! _mat._ edmund, yield thou thyself, or thou shalt die. _kent._ base villains, wherefore do you gripe me thus? _gur._ bind him, and so convey him to the court. _kent._ where is the court but here? here is the king and i will visit him: why stay you me? _mat._ the court is where lord mortimer remains: thither shall your honour go; and so, farewell. [_exeunt matrevis and gurney with king edward._ _kent._ o, miserable is that common-weal, where lords keep courts, and kings are lock'd in prison! _first sold._ wherefore stay we? on, sirs, to the court! _kent._ ay, lead me whither you will, even to my death, seeing that my brother cannot be releas'd. [_exeunt._ _enter the younger_ mortimer. _y. mor._ the king must die, or mortimer goes down; the commons now begin to pity him: yet he that is the cause of edward's death, is sure to pay for it when his son's of age; and therefore will i do it cunningly. this letter, written by a friend of ours, contains his death, yet bids then save his life; [_reads._ _edwardum occidere nolite timere, bonum est, fear not to kill the king, 'tis good he die:_ but read it thus, and that's another sense; _edwardum occidere nolite, timere bonum est, kill not the king, 'tis good to fear the worst._ unpointed as it is, thus shall it go. that, being dead, if it chance to be found, matrevis and the rest may bear the blame, and we be quit that caus'd it to be done. within this room is lock'd the messenger that shall convey it, and perform the rest; and, by a secret token that he bears, shall he be murder'd when the deed is done.-- lightborn, come forth! _enter_ lightborn. art thou so resolute as thou wast? _light._ what else, my lord? and far more resolute. _y. mor._ and hast thou cast how to accomplish it? _light._ ay, ay; and none shall know which way he died. _y. mor._ but at his looks, lightborn, thou wilt relent. _light._ relent! ha, ha! i use much to relent. _y. mor._ well, do it bravely, and be secret. _light._ you shall not need to give instructions; 'tis not the first time i have kill'd a man: i learn'd in naples how to poison flowers; to strangle with a lawn thrust down the throat; to pierce the wind pipe with a needle's point; or, whilst one is asleep, to take a quill, and blow a little powder in his ears; or open his mouth, and pour quick-silver down. but yet i have a braver way than these. _y. mor._ what's that? _light._ nay, you shall pardon me; none shall know my tricks. _y. mor._ i care not how it is, so it be not spied. deliver this to gurney and matrevis: [_gives letter._ at every ten-mile end thou hast a horse: take this [_gives money_]: away, and never see me more! _light._ no? _y. mor._ no; unless thou bring me news of edward's death. _light._ that will i quickly do. farewell, my lord. [_exit._ _y. mor._ the prince i rule, the queen do i command, and with a lowly congé to the ground the proudest lords salute me as i pass; i seal, i cancel, i do what i will. fear'd am i more than lov'd;--let me be fear'd, and, when i frown, make all the court look pale. i view the prince with aristarchus' eyes, whose looks were as a breeching to a boy. they thrust upon me the protectorship, and sue to me for that that i desire; while at the council-table, grave enough, and not unlike a bashful puritan, first i complain of imbecility, saying it is _onus quam gravissimum;_ till, being interrupted by my friends, _suscepi_ that _provinciam_, as they term it; and, to conclude, i am protector now. now all is sure: the queen and mortimer shall rule the realm, the king; and none rule us. mine enemies will i plague, my friends advance; and what i list command who dare control? _major sum quàm cui possit fortuna nocere:_ and that this be the coronation-day, it pleaseth me and isabel the queen. [_trumpets within._ the trumpets sound; i must go take my place. _enter_ king edward the third, queen isabella, _the_ archbishop of canterbury, champion, _and_ nobles. _archb. of cant._ long live king edward, by the grace of god king of england and lord of ireland! _cham._ if any christian, heathen, turk, or jew, dares but affirm that edward's not true king, and will avouch his saying with the sword, i am the champion that will combat him. _y. mor._ none comes: sound, trumpets! [_trumpets._ _k. edw. third._ champion, here's to thee. [_gives purse._ _q. isab._ lord mortimer, now take him to your charge. _enter_ soldiers _with_ kent _prisoner._ _y. mor._ what traitor have we there with blades and bills? _first sold._ edmund the earl of kent. _k. edw. third._ what hath he done? _first sold._ 'a would have taken the king away perforce, as we were bringing him to killingworth. _y. mor._ did you attempt his rescue, edmund? speak. _kent._ mortimer, i did: he is our king, and thou compell'st this prince to wear the crown. _y. mor._ strike off his head: he shall have martial law. _kent._ strike off my head! base traitor, i defy thee! _k. edw. third._ my lord, he is my uncle, and shall live. _y. mor._ my lord, he is your enemy, and shall die. _kent._ stay, villains! _k. edw. third._ sweet mother, if i cannot pardon him, entreat my lord protector for his life. _q. isab._ son, be content: i dare not speak a word. _k. edw. third._ nor i; and yet methinks i should command: but, seeing i cannot, i'll entreat for him.-- my lord, if you will let my uncle live, i will requite it when i come to age. _y. mor._ 'tis for your highness' good and for the realm's.-- how often shall i bid you bear him hence? _kent._ art thou king? must i die at thy command? _y. mor._ at our command.--once more, away with him! _kent._ let me but stay and speak; i will not go: either my brother or his son is king, and none of both them thirst for edmund's blood: and therefore, soldiers, whither will you hale me? [_soldiers hale kent away, and carry him to be beheaded._ _k. edw. third._ what safety may i look for at his hands, if that my uncle shall be murder'd thus? _q. isab._ fear not, sweet boy; i'll guard thee from thy foes: had edmund liv'd, he would have sought thy death. come, son, we'll ride a-hunting in the park. _k. edw. third._ and shall my uncle edmund ride with us? _q. isab._ he is a traitor; think not on him: come. [_exeunt._ _enter_ matrevis _and_ gurney. _mat._ gurney, i wonder the king dies not, being in a vault up to the knees in water, to which the channels of the castle run, from whence a damp continually ariseth, that were enough to poison any man, much more a king, brought up so tenderly. _gur._ and so do i, matrevis: yesternight i open'd but the door to throw him meat, and i was almost stifled with the savour. _mat._ he hath a body able to endure more than we can inflict: and therefore now let us assail his mind another while. _gur._ send for him out thence, and i will anger him. _mat._ but stay; who's this? _enter_ lightborn. _light._ my lord protector greets you. [_gives letter._ _gur._ what's there? i know not how to construe it. _mat._ gurney, it was left unpointed for the nonce; _edwardum occidere nolite timere,_ that's his meaning. _light._ know you this token? i must have the king. [_gives token._ _mat._ ay, stay a while; thou shalt have answer straight.-- this villain's sent to make away the king. _gur._ i thought as much. _mat._ and, when the murder's done, see how he must be handled for his labour,-- _pereat iste!_ let him have the king; what else?--here is the keys, this is the lake: do as you are commanded by my lord. _light._ i know what i must do. get you away: yet be not far off; i shall need your help: see that in the next room i have a fire, and get me a spit, and let it be red-hot. _mat._ very well. _gur._ need you anything besides? _light._ what else? a table and a feather-bed. _gur._ that's all? _light._ ay, ay: so, when i call you, bring it in. _mat._ fear not thou that. _gur._ here's a light to go into the dungeon. [_gives light to lightborn, and then exit with matrevis._ _light._ so, now. must i about this gear: ne'er was there any so finely handled as this king shall be.-- foh, here's a place indeed with all my heart! _k. edw._ who's there? what light is that? wherefore com'st thou? _light._ to comfort you, and bring you joyful news. _k. edw._ small comfort finds poor edward in thy looks: villain, i know thou com'st to murder me. _light._ to murder you, my most gracious lord? far is it from my heart to do you harm. the queen sent me to see how you were us'd, for she relents at this your misery: and what eye can refrain from shedding tears, to see a king in this most piteous state? _k. edw._ weep'st thou already? list a while to me, and then thy heart, were it as gurney's is, or as matrevis', hewn from the caucasus, yet will it melt ere i have done my tale. this dungeon where they keep me is the sink wherein the filth of all the castle falls. _light._ o villains! _k. edw._ and there, in mire and puddle, have i stood this ten days' space; and, lest that i should sleep, one plays continually upon a drum; they give me bread and water, being a king; so that, for want of sleep and sustenance, my mind's distemper'd, and my body's numb'd, and whether i have limbs or no i know not. o, would my blood dropp'd out from every vein, as doth this water from my tatter'd robes! tell isabel the queen, i look'd not thus, when for her sake i ran at tilt in france, and there unhors'd the duke of cleremont. _light._ o, speak no more, my lord! this breaks my heart. lie on this bed, and rest yourself a while. _k. edw._ these looks of thine can harbour naught but death; i see my tragedy written in thy brows. yet stay a while; forbear thy bloody hand, and let me see the stroke before it comes, that even then when i shall lose my life, my mind may be more steadfast on my god. _light._ what means your highness to mistrust me thus? _k. edw._ what mean'st thou to dissemble with me thus? _light._ these hands were never stain'd with innocent blood, nor shall they now be tainted with a king's. _k. edw._ forgive my thought for having such a thought. one jewel have i left; receive thou this: [_gives jewel._ still fear i, and i know not what's the cause, but every joint shakes as i give it thee. o, if thou harbour'st murder in thy heart, let this gift change thy mind, and save thy soul! know that i am a king: o, at that name i feel a hell of grief! where is my crown? gone, gone! and do i [still] remain alive? _light._ you're overwatch'd, my lord: lie down and rest. _k. edw._ but that grief keeps me waking, i should sleep; for not these ten days have these eye-lids clos'd. now, as i speak, they fall; and yet with fear open again. o, wherefore sitt'st thou here? _light._ if you mistrust me, i'll be gone, my lord. _k. edw._ no, no; for, if thou mean'st to murder me, thou wilt return again; and therefore stay. [_sleeps._ _light._ he sleeps. _k. edw._ [_waking_] o, let me not die yet! o, stay a while! _light._ how now, my lord! _k. edw._ something still buzzeth in mine ears, and tells me, if i sleep, i never wake: this fear is that which makes me tremble thus; and therefore tell me, wherefore art thou come? _light._ to rid thee of thy life.--matrevis, come! _enter_ matrevis _and_ gurney. _k. edw._ i am too weak and feeble to resist.-- assist me, sweet god, and receive my soul! _light._ run for the table. _k. edw._ o, spare me, or despatch me in a trice! [_matrevis brings in a table. king edward is murdered by holding him down on the bed with the table, and stamping on it._ _light._ so, lay the table down, and stamp on it, but not too hard, lest that you bruise his body. _mat._ i fear me that this cry will raise the town, and therefore let us take horse and away. _light._ tell me, sirs, was it not bravely done? _gur._ excellent well: take this for thy reward. [_stabs lightborn, who dies._ come, let us cast the body in the moat, and bear the king's to mortimer our lord: away! [_exeunt with the bodies._ _enter the younger_ mortimer _and_ matrevis. _y. mor._ is't done, matrevis, and the murderer dead? _mat._ ay, my good lord: i would it were undone! _y. mor._ matrevis, if thou now grow'st penitent, i'll be thy ghostly father; therefore choose, whether thou wilt be secret in this, or else die by the hand of mortimer. _mat._ gurney, my lord, is fled, and will, i fear, betray us both; therefore let me fly. _y. mor._ fly to the savages! _mat._ i humbly thank your honour. [_exit._ _y. mor._ as for myself, i stand as jove's huge tree, and others are but shrubs compar'd to me: all tremble at my name, and i fear none: let's see who dare impeach me for his death! _enter_ queen isabella. _q. isab._ ah, mortimer, the king my son hath news, his father's dead, and we have murder'd him! _y. mor._ what if he have? the king is yet a child. _q. isab._ ay, but he tears his hair, and wrings his hands, and vows to be reveng'd upon us both. into the council-chamber he is gone, to crave the aid and succour of his peers. ay me, see where he comes, and they with him! now, mortimer, begins our tragedy. _enter_ king edward the third, lords, _and_ attendants. _first lord._ fear not, my lord; know that you are a king. _k. edw. third._ villain!-- _y. mor._ ho, now, my lord! _k. edw. third._ think not that i am frighted with thy words: my father's murder'd through thy treachery; and thou shalt die, and on his mournful hearse thy hateful and accursed head shall lie, to witness to the world that by thy means his kingly body was too soon interr'd. _q. isab._ weep not, sweet son. _k. edw. third._ forbid not me to weep; he was my father; and had you lov'd him half so well as i, you could not bear his death thus patiently: but you, i fear, conspir'd with mortimer. _first lord._ why speak you not unto my lord the king? _y. mor._ because i think scorn to be accus'd. who is the man dares say i murder'd him? _k. edw. third._ traitor, in me my loving father speaks, and plainly saith, 'twas thou that murder'dst him. _y. mor._ but hath your grace no other proof than this? _k. edw. third._ yes, if this be the hand of mortimer. [_showing letter._ _y. mor._ false gurney hath betray'd me and himself. [_aside to queen isabella._ _q. isab._ i fear'd as much: murder can not be hid. _y. mor._ it is my hand; what gather you by this? _k. edw. third._ that thither thou didst send a murderer. _y. mor._ what murderer? bring forth the man i sent. _k. edw. third._ ah, mortimer, thou know'st that he is slain! and so shalt thou be too.--why stays he here? bring him unto a hurdle, drag him forth; hang him, i say, and set his quarters up: and bring his head back presently to me. _q. isab._ for my sake, sweet son, pity mortimer! _y. mor._ madam, entreat not: i will rather die than sue for life unto a paltry boy. _k. edw. third._ hence with the traitor, with the murderer! _y. mor._ base fortune, now i see, that in thy wheel there is a point, to which when men aspire, they tumble headlong down: that point i touch'd, and, seeing there was no place to mount up higher, why should i grieve at my declining fall?-- farewell, fair queen: weep not for mortimer, that scorns the world, and, as a traveller, goes to discover countries yet unknown. _k. edw. third._ what, suffer you the traitor to delay? [_exit the younger mortimer with first lord and some of the attendants._ _q. isab._ as thou receivest thy life from me, spill not the blood of gentle mortimer! _k. edw. third._ this argues that you spilt my father's blood, else would you not entreat for mortimer. _q. isab._ i spill his blood! no. _k. edw. third._ ay, madam, you; for so the rumour runs. _q. isab._ that rumour is untrue: for loving thee, is this report rais'd on poor isabel. _k. edw. third._ i do not think her so unnatural. _sec. lord._ my lord, i fear me it will prove too true. _k. edw. third._ mother, you are suspected for his death and therefore we commit you to the tower, till further trial may be made thereof. if you be guilty, though i be your son, think not to find me slack or pitiful. _q. isab._ nay, to my death; for too long have i liv'd, whenas my son thinks to abridge my days. _k. edw. third._ away with her! her words enforce these tears, and i shall pity her, if she speak again. _q. isab._ shall i not mourn for my beloved lord? and with the rest accompany him to his grave. _sec. lord._ thus, madam, 'tis the king's will you shall hence. _q. isab._ he hath forgotten me: stay; i am his mother. _sec. lord._ that boots not; therefore, gentle madam, go. _q. isab._ then come, sweet death, and rid me of this grief! [_exit with second lord and some of the attendants._ _re-enter_ first lord, _with the head of the younger_ mortimer. _first lord._ my lord, here is the head of mortimer. _k. edw. third._ go fetch my father's hearse, where it shall lie; and bring my funeral robes. [_exeunt attendants._ accursed head, could i have rul'd thee then, as i do now, thou hadst not hatch'd this monstrous treachery!-- here comes the hearse: help me to mourn, my lords. _re-enter_ attendants, _with the hearse and funeral robes._ sweet father, here unto thy murder'd ghost i offer up the wicked traitor's head; and let these tears, distilling from mine eyes, be witness of my grief and innocency. [_exeunt._ provided by classic literature library (http://www.classic-literature.co.uk/) hero and leander by christopher marlowe first sestiad on hellespont, guilty of true-love's blood, in view and opposite two cities stood, sea-borderers, disjoined by neptune's might; the one abydos, the other sestos hight. at sestos hero dwelt; hero the fair, whom young apollo courted for her hair, and offered as a dower his burning throne, where she should sit for men to gaze upon. the outside of her garments were of lawn, the lining purple silk, with gilt stars drawn; her wide sleeves green, and bordered with a grove, where venus in her naked glory strove to please the careless and disdainful eyes of proud adonis, that before her lies. her kirtle blue, whereon was many a stain, made with the blood of wretched lovers slain. upon her head she ware a myrtle wreath, from whence her veil reached to the ground beneath. her veil was artificial flowers and leaves whose workmanship both man and beast deceives. many would praise the sweet smell as she passed, when 'twas the odour which her breath forth cast; and there for honey bees have sought in vain, and, beat from thence, have lighted there again. about her neck hung chains of pebblestone, which, lightened by her neck, like diamonds shone. she ware no gloves; for neither sun nor wind would burn or parch her hands, but to her mind, or warm or cool them, for they took delight to play upon those hands, they were so white. buskins of shells, all silvered used she, and branched with blushing coral to the knee; where sparrows perched of hollow pearl and gold, such as the world would wonder to behold. those with sweet water oft her handmaid fills, which, as she went, would chirrup through the bills. some say for her the fairest cupid pined and looking in her face was strooken blind. but this is true: so like was one the other, as he imagined hero was his mother. and oftentimes into her bosom flew, about her naked neck his bare arms threw, and laid his childish head upon her breast, and, with still panting rocked, there took his rest. so lovely fair was hero, venus' nun, as nature wept, thinking she was undone, because she took more from her than she left, and of such wondrous beauty her bereft. therefore, in sign her treasure suffered wrack, since hero's time hath half the world been black. amorous leander, beautiful and young, (whose tragedy divine musaeus sung,) dwelt at abydos; since him dwelt there none for whom succeeding times make greater moan. his dangling tresses, that were never shorn, had they been cut, and unto colchos borne, would have allured the vent'rous youth of greece to hazard more than for the golden fleece. fair cynthia wished his arms might be her sphere; grief makes her pale, because she moves not there. his body was as straight as circe's wand; jove might have sipped out nectar from his hand. even as delicious meat is to the taste, so was his neck in touching, and surpassed the white of pelop's shoulder. i could tell ye how smooth his breast was and how white his belly; and whose immortal fingers did imprint that heavenly path with many a curious dint that runs along his back, but my rude pen can hardly blazon forth the loves of men, much less of powerful gods. let it suffice that my slack muse sings of leander's eyes, those orient cheeks and lips, exceeding his that leaped into the water for a kiss of his own shadow and, despising many, died ere he could enjoy the love of any. had wild hippolytus leander seen enamoured of his beauty had he been. his presence made the rudest peasant melt that in the vast uplandish country dwelt. the barbarous thracian soldier, moved with nought, was moved with him and for his favour sought. some swore he was a maid in man's attire, for in his looks were all that men desire, a pleasant smiling cheek, a speaking eye, a brow for love to banquet royally; and such as knew he was a man, would say, "leander, thou art made for amorous play. why art thou not in love, and loved of all? though thou be fair, yet be not thine own thrall." the men of wealthy sestos every year, (for his sake whom their goddess held so dear, rose-cheeked adonis) kept a solemn feast. thither resorted many a wandering guest to meet their loves. such as had none at all, came lovers home from this great festival. for every street like to a firmament glistered with breathing stars who, where they went, frighted the melancholy earth which deemed eternal heaven to burn, for so it seemed, as if another phaeton had got the guidance of the sun's rich chariot. but far above the loveliest hero shined and stole away th' enchanted gazer's mind, for like sea nymphs' enveigling harmony, so was her beauty to the standers by. nor that night-wandering, pale, and wat'ry star (when yawning dragons draw her thirling car from latmus' mount up to the gloomy sky where, crowned with blazing light and majesty, she proudly sits) more overrules the flood than she the hearts of those that near her stood. even as, when gaudy nymphs pursue the chase, wretched ixion's shaggy footed race, incensed with savage heat, gallop amain from steep pine-bearing mountains to the plain. so ran the people forth to gaze upon her, and all that viewed her were enamoured on her. and as in fury of a dreadful fight, their fellows being slain or put to flight, poor soldiers stand with fear of death dead strooken, so at her presence all surprised and tooken, await the sentence of her scornful eyes. he whom she favours lives, the other dies. there might you see one sigh, another rage; and some, (their violent passions to assuage) compile sharp satires, but alas too late, for faithful love will never turn to hate. and many seeing great princes were denied pin'd as they went, and thinking on her died. on this feast day, o cursed day and hour, went hero thorough sestos from her tower to venus' temple, where unhappily as after chanced, they did each other spy. so fair a church as this had venus none. the walls were of discoloured jasper stone wherein was proteus carved, and o'erhead a lively vine of green sea agate spread, where by one hand lightheaded bacchus hung, and, with the other, wine from grapes out wrung. of crystal shining fair the pavement was. the town of sestos called it venus' glass. there might you see the gods in sundry shapes committing heady riots, incest, rapes. for know, that underneath this radiant floor was danae's statue in a brazen tower, jove slyly stealing from his sister's bed, to dally with idalian ganymede, and for his love europa bellowing loud, and tumbling with the rainbow in a cloud; blood quaffing mars heaving the iron net which limping vulcan and his cyclops set; love kindling fire to burn such towns as troy; sylvanus weeping for the lovely boy that now is turned into a cypress tree, under whose shade the wood gods love to be. and in the midst a silver altar stood. there hero, sacrificing turtle's blood, vailed to the ground, vailing her eyelids close, and modestly they opened as she rose. thence flew love's arrow with the golden head, and thus leander was enamoured. stone still he stood, and evermore he gazed till with the fire that from his countenance blazed relenting hero's gentle heart was strook. such force and virtue hath an amorous look. it lies not in our power to love or hate, for will in us is overruled by fate. when two are stripped, long ere the course begin we wish that one should lose, the other win. and one especially do we affect of two gold ingots like in each respect. the reason no man knows; let it suffice what we behold is censured by our eyes. where both deliberate, the love is slight: who ever loved, that loved not at first sight? he kneeled, but unto her devoutly prayed. chaste hero to herself thus softly said, "were i the saint he worships, i would hear him;" and, as she spake those words, came somewhat near him. he started up, she blushed as one ashamed, wherewith leander much more was inflamed. he touched her hand; in touching it she trembled. love deeply grounded, hardly is dissembled. these lovers parleyed by the touch of hands; true love is mute, and oft amazed stands. thus while dumb signs their yielding hearts entangled, the air with sparks of living fire was spangled, and night, deep drenched in misty acheron, heaved up her head, and half the world upon breathed darkness forth (dark night is cupid's day). and now begins leander to display love's holy fire, with words, with sighs, and tears, which like sweet music entered hero's ears, and yet at every word she turned aside, and always cut him off as he replied. at last, like to a bold sharp sophister, with cheerful hope thus he accosted her. "fair creature, let me speak without offence. i would my rude words had the influence to lead thy thoughts as thy fair looks do mine, then shouldst thou be his prisoner, who is thine. be not unkind and fair; misshapen stuff are of behaviour boisterous and rough. o shun me not, but hear me ere you go. god knows i cannot force love as you do. my words shall be as spotless as my youth, full of simplicity and naked truth. this sacrifice, (whose sweet perfume descending from venus' altar, to your footsteps bending) doth testify that you exceed her far, to whom you offer, and whose nun you are. why should you worship her? her you surpass as much as sparkling diamonds flaring glass. a diamond set in lead his worth retains; a heavenly nymph, beloved of human swains, receives no blemish, but ofttimes more grace; which makes me hope, although i am but base: base in respect of thee, divine and pure, dutiful service may thy love procure. and i in duty will excel all other, as thou in beauty dost exceed love's mother. nor heaven, nor thou, were made to gaze upon, as heaven preserves all things, so save thou one. a stately builded ship, well rigged and tall, the ocean maketh more majestical. why vowest thou then to live in sestos here who on love's seas more glorious wouldst appear? like untuned golden strings all women are, which long time lie untouched, will harshly jar. vessels of brass, oft handled, brightly shine. what difference betwixt the richest mine and basest mould, but use? for both, not used, are of like worth. then treasure is abused when misers keep it; being put to loan, in time it will return us two for one. rich robes themselves and others do adorn; neither themselves nor others, if not worn. who builds a palace and rams up the gate shall see it ruinous and desolate. ah, simple hero, learn thyself to cherish. lone women like to empty houses perish. less sins the poor rich man that starves himself in heaping up a mass of drossy pelf, than such as you. his golden earth remains which, after his decease, some other gains. but this fair gem, sweet in the loss alone, when you fleet hence, can be bequeathed to none. or, if it could, down from th'enameled sky all heaven would come to claim this legacy, and with intestine broils the world destroy, and quite confound nature's sweet harmony. well therefore by the gods decreed it is we human creatures should enjoy that bliss. one is no number; maids are nothing then without the sweet society of men. wilt thou live single still? one shalt thou be, though never singling hymen couple thee. wild savages, that drink of running springs, think water far excels all earthly things, but they that daily taste neat wine despise it. virginity, albeit some highly prize it, compared with marriage, had you tried them both, differs as much as wine and water doth. base bullion for the stamp's sake we allow; even so for men's impression do we you, by which alone, our reverend fathers say, women receive perfection every way. this idol which you term virginity is neither essence subject to the eye no, nor to any one exterior sense, nor hath it any place of residence, nor is't of earth or mould celestial, or capable of any form at all. of that which hath no being do not boast; things that are not at all are never lost. men foolishly do call it virtuous; what virtue is it that is born with us? much less can honour be ascribed thereto; honour is purchased by the deeds we do. believe me, hero, honour is not won until some honourable deed be done. seek you for chastity, immortal fame, and know that some have wronged diana's name? whose name is it, if she be false or not so she be fair, but some vile tongues will blot? but you are fair, (ay me) so wondrous fair, so young, so gentle, and so debonair, as greece will think if thus you live alone some one or other keeps you as his own. then, hero, hate me not nor from me fly to follow swiftly blasting infamy. perhaps thy sacred priesthood makes thee loath. tell me, to whom mad'st thou that heedless oath?" "to venus," answered she and, as she spake, forth from those two tralucent cisterns brake a stream of liquid pearl, which down her face made milk-white paths, whereon the gods might trace to jove's high court. he thus replied: "the rites in which love's beauteous empress most delights are banquets, doric music, midnight revel, plays, masks, and all that stern age counteth evil. thee as a holy idiot doth she scorn for thou in vowing chastity hast sworn to rob her name and honour, and thereby committ'st a sin far worse than perjury, even sacrilege against her deity, through regular and formal purity. to expiate which sin, kiss and shake hands. such sacrifice as this venus demands." thereat she smiled and did deny him so, as put thereby, yet might he hope for moe. which makes him quickly re-enforce his speech, and her in humble manner thus beseech. "though neither gods nor men may thee deserve, yet for her sake, whom you have vowed to serve, abandon fruitless cold virginity, the gentle queen of love's sole enemy. then shall you most resemble venus' nun, when venus' sweet rites are performed and done. flint-breasted pallas joys in single life, but pallas and your mistress are at strife. love, hero, then, and be not tyrannous, but heal the heart that thou hast wounded thus, nor stain thy youthful years with avarice. fair fools delight to be accounted nice. the richest corn dies, if it be not reaped; beauty alone is lost, too warily kept." these arguments he used, and many more, wherewith she yielded, that was won before. hero's looks yielded but her words made war. women are won when they begin to jar. thus, having swallowed cupid's golden hook, the more she strived, the deeper was she strook. yet, evilly feigning anger, strove she still and would be thought to grant against her will. so having paused a while at last she said, "who taught thee rhetoric to deceive a maid? ay me, such words as these should i abhor and yet i like them for the orator." with that leander stooped to have embraced her but from his spreading arms away she cast her, and thus bespake him: "gentle youth, forbear to touch the sacred garments which i wear. upon a rock and underneath a hill far from the town (where all is whist and still, save that the sea, playing on yellow sand, sends forth a rattling murmur to the land, whose sound allures the golden morpheus in silence of the night to visit us) my turret stands and there, god knows, i play. with venus' swans and sparrows all the day. a dwarfish beldam bears me company, that hops about the chamber where i lie, and spends the night (that might be better spent) in vain discourse and apish merriment. come thither." as she spake this, her tongue tripped, for unawares "come thither" from her slipped. and suddenly her former colour changed, and here and there her eyes through anger ranged. and like a planet, moving several ways, at one self instant she, poor soul, assays, loving, not to love at all, and every part strove to resist the motions of her heart. and hands so pure, so innocent, nay, such as might have made heaven stoop to have a touch, did she uphold to venus, and again vowed spotless chastity, but all in vain. cupid beats down her prayers with his wings, her vows above the empty air he flings, all deep enraged, his sinewy bow he bent, and shot a shaft that burning from him went, wherewith she strooken, looked so dolefully, as made love sigh to see his tyranny. and as she wept her tears to pearl he turned, and wound them on his arm and for her mourned. then towards the palace of the destinies laden with languishment and grief he flies, and to those stern nymphs humbly made request both might enjoy each other, and be blest. but with a ghastly dreadful countenance, threatening a thousand deaths at every glance, they answered love, nor would vouchsafe so much as one poor word, their hate to him was such. hearken a while and i will tell you why. heaven's winged herald, jove-borne mercury, the selfsame day that he asleep had laid enchanted argus, spied a country maid whose careless hair instead of pearl t'adorn it glistered with dew, as one that seemed to scorn it; her breath as fragrant as the morning rose, her mind pure, and her tongue untaught to gloze. yet proud she was (for lofty pride that dwells in towered courts is oft in shepherds' cells.) and too too well the fair vermilion knew, and silver tincture of her cheeks, that drew the love of every swain. on her this god enamoured was, and with his snaky rod did charm her nimble feet, and made her stay, the while upon a hillock down he lay and sweetly on his pipe began to play, and with smooth speech her fancy to assay, till in his twining arms he locked her fast and then he wooed with kisses; and at last, as shepherds do, her on the ground he laid and, tumbling in the grass, he often strayed beyond the bounds of shame, in being bold to eye those parts which no eye should behold. and, like an insolent commanding lover boasting his parentage, would needs discover the way to new elysium, but she, whose only dower was her chastity, having striv'n in vain was now about to cry and crave the help of shepherds that were nigh. herewith he stayed his fury, and began to give her leave to rise. away she ran; after went mercury who used such cunning as she, to hear his tale, left off her running. maids are not won by brutish force and might, but speeches full of pleasure, and delight. and, knowing hermes courted her, was glad that she such loveliness and beauty had as could provoke his liking, yet was mute and neither would deny nor grant his suit. still vowed he love. she, wanting no excuse to feed him with delays, as women use, or thirsting after immortality,-- all women are ambitious naturally-- imposed upon her lover such a task as he ought not perform nor yet she ask. a draught of flowing nectar she requested, wherewith the king of gods and men is feasted. he, ready to accomplish what she willed, stole some from hebe (hebe jove's cup filled) and gave it to his simple rustic love. which being known (as what is hid from jove?) he inly stormed and waxed more furious than for the fire filched by prometheus, and thrusts him down from heaven. he, wandering here, in mournful terms, with sad and heavy cheer, complained to cupid. cupid for his sake, to be revenged on jove did undertake. and those on whom heaven, earth, and hell relies, i mean the adamantine destinies, he wounds with love, and forced them equally to dote upon deceitful mercury. they offered him the deadly fatal knife that shears the slender threads of human life. at his fair feathered feet the engines laid which th' earth from ugly chaos' den upweighed. these he regarded not but did entreat that jove, usurper of his father's seat, might presently be banished into hell, and aged saturn in olympus dwell. they granted what he craved, and once again saturn and ops began their golden reign. murder, rape, war, lust, and treachery, were with jove closed in stygian empery. but long this blessed time continued not. as soon as he his wished purpose got he reckless of his promise did despise the love of th' everlasting destinies. they seeing it both love and him abhorred and jupiter unto his place restored. and but that learning in despite of fate will mount aloft and enter heaven gate and to the seat of jove itself advance, hermes had slept in hell with ignorance. yet as a punishment they added this, that he and poverty should always kiss. and to this day is every scholar poor; gross gold from them runs headlong to the boor. likewise the angry sisters thus deluded, to venge themselves on hermes, have concluded that midas' brood shall sit in honour's chair, to which the muses' sons are only heir; and fruitful wits, that in aspiring are, shall discontent run into regions far; and few great lords in virtuous deeds shall joy but be surprised with every garish toy, and still enrich the lofty servile clown, who with encroaching guile keeps learning down. then muse not cupid's suit no better sped, seeing in their loves the fates were injured. (the end of the first sestiad) second sestiad by this, sad hero, with love unacquainted, viewing leander's face, fell down and fainted. he kissed her and breathed life into her lips, wherewith as one displeased away she trips. yet, as she went, full often looked behind, and many poor excuses did she find to linger by the way, and once she stayed, and would have turned again, but was afraid, in offering parley, to be counted light. so on she goes and in her idle flight her painted fan of curled plumes let fall, thinking to train leander therewithal. he, being a novice, knew not what she meant but stayed, and after her a letter sent, which joyful hero answered in such sort, as he had hope to scale the beauteous fort wherein the liberal graces locked their wealth, and therefore to her tower he got by stealth. wide open stood the door, he need not climb, and she herself before the pointed time had spread the board, with roses strowed the room, and oft looked out, and mused he did not come. at last he came. o who can tell the greeting these greedy lovers had at their first meeting. he asked, she gave, and nothing was denied. both to each other quickly were affied. look how their hands, so were their hearts united, and what he did she willingly requited. (sweet are the kisses, the embracements sweet, when like desires and affections meet, for from the earth to heaven is cupid raised, where fancy is in equal balance peised.) yet she this rashness suddenly repented and turned aside, and to herself lamented as if her name and honour had been wronged by being possessed of him for whom she longed. ay, and she wished, albeit not from her heart that he would leave her turret and depart. the mirthful god of amorous pleasure smiled to see how he this captive nymph beguiled. for hitherto he did but fan the fire, and kept it down that it might mount the higher. now waxed she jealous lest his love abated, fearing her own thoughts made her to be hated. therefore unto him hastily she goes and, like light salmacis, her body throws upon his bosom where with yielding eyes she offers up herself a sacrifice to slake his anger if he were displeased. o, what god would not therewith be appeased? like aesop's cock this jewel he enjoyed and as a brother with his sister toyed supposing nothing else was to be done, now he her favour and good will had won. but know you not that creatures wanting sense by nature have a mutual appetence, and, wanting organs to advance a step, moved by love's force unto each other lep? much more in subjects having intellect some hidden influence breeds like effect. albeit leander rude in love and raw, long dallying with hero, nothing saw that might delight him more, yet he suspected some amorous rites or other were neglected. therefore unto his body hers he clung. she, fearing on the rushes to be flung, strived with redoubled strength; the more she strived the more a gentle pleasing heat revived, which taught him all that elder lovers know. and now the same gan so to scorch and glow as in plain terms (yet cunningly) he craved it. love always makes those eloquent that have it. she, with a kind of granting, put him by it and ever, as he thought himself most nigh it, like to the tree of tantalus, she fled and, seeming lavish, saved her maidenhead. ne'er king more sought to keep his diadem, than hero this inestimable gem. above our life we love a steadfast friend, yet when a token of great worth we send, we often kiss it, often look thereon, and stay the messenger that would be gone. no marvel then, though hero would not yield so soon to part from that she dearly held. jewels being lost are found again, this never; 'tis lost but once, and once lost, lost forever. now had the morn espied her lover's steeds, whereat she starts, puts on her purple weeds, and red for anger that he stayed so long all headlong throws herself the clouds among. and now leander, fearing to be missed, embraced her suddenly, took leave, and kissed. long was he taking leave, and loath to go, and kissed again as lovers use to do. sad hero wrung him by the hand and wept saying, "let your vows and promises be kept." then standing at the door she turned about as loath to see leander going out. and now the sun that through th' horizon peeps, as pitying these lovers, downward creeps, so that in silence of the cloudy night, though it was morning, did he take his flight. but what the secret trusty night concealed leander's amorous habit soon revealed. with cupid's myrtle was his bonnet crowned, about his arms the purple riband wound wherewith she wreathed her largely spreading hair. nor could the youth abstain, but he must wear the sacred ring wherewith she was endowed when first religious chastity she vowed. which made his love through sestos to be known, and thence unto abydos sooner blown than he could sail; for incorporeal fame whose weight consists in nothing but her name, is swifter than the wind, whose tardy plumes are reeking water and dull earthly fumes. home when he came, he seemed not to be there, but, like exiled air thrust from his sphere, set in a foreign place; and straight from thence, alcides like, by mighty violence he would have chased away the swelling main that him from her unjustly did detain. like as the sun in a diameter fires and inflames objects removed far, and heateth kindly, shining laterally, so beauty sweetly quickens when 'tis nigh, but being separated and removed, burns where it cherished, murders where it loved. therefore even as an index to a book, so to his mind was young leander's look. o, none but gods have power their love to hide, affection by the countenance is descried. the light of hidden fire itself discovers, and love that is concealed betrays poor lovers, his secret flame apparently was seen. leander's father knew where he had been and for the same mildly rebuked his son, thinking to quench the sparkles new begun. but love resisted once grows passionate, and nothing more than counsel lovers hate. for as a hot proud horse highly disdains to have his head controlled, but breaks the reins, spits forth the ringled bit, and with his hooves checks the submissive ground; so he that loves, the more he is restrained, the worse he fares. what is it now, but mad leander dares? "o hero, hero!" thus he cried full oft; and then he got him to a rock aloft, where having spied her tower, long stared he on't, and prayed the narrow toiling hellespont to part in twain, that he might come and go; but still the rising billows answered, "no." with that he stripped him to the ivory skin and, crying "love, i come," leaped lively in. whereat the sapphire visaged god grew proud, and made his capering triton sound aloud, imagining that ganymede, displeased, had left the heavens; therefore on him he seized. leander strived; the waves about him wound, and pulled him to the bottom, where the ground was strewed with pearl, and in low coral groves sweet singing mermaids sported with their loves on heaps of heavy gold, and took great pleasure to spurn in careless sort the shipwrack treasure. for here the stately azure palace stood where kingly neptune and his train abode. the lusty god embraced him, called him "love," and swore he never should return to jove. but when he knew it was not ganymede, for under water he was almost dead, he heaved him up and, looking on his face, beat down the bold waves with his triple mace, which mounted up, intending to have kissed him, and fell in drops like tears because they missed him. leander, being up, began to swim and, looking back, saw neptune follow him, whereat aghast, the poor soul 'gan to cry "o, let me visit hero ere i die!" the god put helle's bracelet on his arm, and swore the sea should never do him harm. he clapped his plump cheeks, with his tresses played and, smiling wantonly, his love bewrayed. he watched his arms and, as they opened wide at every stroke, betwixt them would he slide and steal a kiss, and then run out and dance, and, as he turned, cast many a lustful glance, and threw him gaudy toys to please his eye, and dive into the water, and there pry upon his breast, his thighs, and every limb, and up again, and close beside him swim, and talk of love. leander made reply, "you are deceived; i am no woman, i." thereat smiled neptune, and then told a tale, how that a shepherd, sitting in a vale, played with a boy so fair and kind, as for his love both earth and heaven pined; that of the cooling river durst not drink, lest water nymphs should pull him from the brink. and when he sported in the fragrant lawns, goat footed satyrs and upstaring fauns would steal him thence. ere half this tale was done, "ay me," leander cried, "th' enamoured sun that now should shine on thetis' glassy bower, descends upon my radiant hero's tower. o, that these tardy arms of mine were wings!" and, as he spake, upon the waves he springs. neptune was angry that he gave no ear, and in his heart revenging malice bare. he flung at him his mace but, as it went, he called it in, for love made him repent. the mace, returning back, his own hand hit as meaning to be venged for darting it. when this fresh bleeding wound leander viewed, his colour went and came, as if he rued the grief which neptune felt. in gentle breasts relenting thoughts, remorse, and pity rests. and who have hard hearts and obdurate minds, but vicious, harebrained, and illiterate hinds? the god, seeing him with pity to be moved, thereon concluded that he was beloved. (love is too full of faith, too credulous, with folly and false hope deluding us.) wherefore, leander's fancy to surprise, to the rich ocean for gifts he flies. 'tis wisdom to give much; a gift prevails when deep persuading oratory fails. by this leander, being near the land, cast down his weary feet and felt the sand. breathless albeit he were he rested not till to the solitary tower he got, and knocked and called. at which celestial noise the longing heart of hero much more joys than nymphs and shepherds when the timbrel rings, or crooked dolphin when the sailor sings. she stayed not for her robes but straight arose and, drunk with gladness, to the door she goes, where seeing a naked man, she screeched for fear (such sights as this to tender maids are rare) and ran into the dark herself to hide. (rich jewels in the dark are soonest spied). unto her was he led, or rather drawn by those white limbs which sparkled through the lawn. the nearer that he came, the more she fled, and, seeking refuge, slipped into her bed. whereon leander sitting thus began, through numbing cold, all feeble, faint, and wan. "if not for love, yet, love, for pity sake, me in thy bed and maiden bosom take. at least vouchsafe these arms some little room, who, hoping to embrace thee, cheerly swum. this head was beat with many a churlish billow, and therefore let it rest upon thy pillow." herewith affrighted, hero shrunk away, and in her lukewarm place leander lay, whose lively heat, like fire from heaven fet, would animate gross clay and higher set the drooping thoughts of base declining souls than dreary mars carousing nectar bowls. his hands he cast upon her like a snare. she, overcome with shame and sallow fear, like chaste diana when actaeon spied her, being suddenly betrayed, dived down to hide her. and, as her silver body downward went, with both her hands she made the bed a tent, and in her own mind thought herself secure, o'ercast with dim and darksome coverture. and now she lets him whisper in her ear, flatter, entreat, promise, protest and swear; yet ever, as he greedily assayed to touch those dainties, she the harpy played, and every limb did, as a soldier stout, defend the fort, and keep the foeman out. for though the rising ivory mount he scaled, which is with azure circling lines empaled, much like a globe (a globe may i term this, by which love sails to regions full of bliss) yet there with sisyphus he toiled in vain, till gentle parley did the truce obtain. wherein leander on her quivering breast breathless spoke something, and sighed out the rest; which so prevailed, as he with small ado enclosed her in his arms and kissed her too. and every kiss to her was as a charm, and to leander as a fresh alarm, so that the truce was broke and she, alas, (poor silly maiden) at his mercy was. love is not full of pity (as men say) but deaf and cruel where he means to prey. even as a bird, which in our hands we wring, forth plungeth and oft flutters with her wing, she trembling strove. this strife of hers (like that which made the world) another world begat of unknown joy. treason was in her thought, and cunningly to yield herself she sought. seeming not won, yet won she was at length. in such wars women use but half their strength. leander now, like theban hercules, entered the orchard of th' hesperides; whose fruit none rightly can describe but he that pulls or shakes it from the golden tree. and now she wished this night were never done, and sighed to think upon th' approaching sun; for much it grieved her that the bright daylight should know the pleasure of this blessed night, and them, like mars and erycine, display both in each other's arms chained as they lay. again, she knew not how to frame her look, or speak to him, who in a moment took that which so long so charily she kept, and fain by stealth away she would have crept, and to some corner secretly have gone, leaving leander in the bed alone. but as her naked feet were whipping out, he on the sudden clinged her so about, that, mermaid-like, unto the floor she slid. one half appeared, the other half was hid. thus near the bed she blushing stood upright, and from her countenance behold ye might a kind of twilight break, which through the hair, as from an orient cloud, glimpsed here and there, and round about the chamber this false morn brought forth the day before the day was born. so hero's ruddy cheek hero betrayed, and her all naked to his sight displayed, whence his admiring eyes more pleasure took than dis, on heaps of gold fixing his look. by this, apollo's golden harp began to sound forth music to the ocean, which watchful hesperus no sooner heard but he the bright day-bearing car prepared and ran before, as harbinger of light, and with his flaring beams mocked ugly night, till she, o'ercome with anguish, shame, and rage, danged down to hell her loathsome carriage. (the end of the second sestiad) the tragical history of doctor faustus by christopher marlowe from the quarto of . edited by the rev. alexander dyce. comments on the preparation of the e-text: square brackets: the square brackets, i.e. are copied from the printed book, without change, except that the stage directions usually do not have closing brackets. these have been added. footnotes: for this e-text version of the book, the footnotes have been consolidated at the end of the play. numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity. changes to the text: character names were expanded. for example, faustus was faust; second scholar was sec. schol. other comments: this e-text of _doctor faustus_ is taken from a volume of _the works of christopher marlowe_. that volume also contains an earlier version of the play, based on the text of , which is available as an e-text. some of the notes to the earlier version are applicable to, and help explain, this version. gary r. young the tragicall history of the life and death of doctor faustus. written by ch. mar. london, printed for john wright, and are to be sold at his shop without newgate, at the signe of the bible, , to. the tragicall history of the life and death of doctor faustus. with new additions. written by ch. mar. printed at london for john wright, and are to be sold at his shop without newgate, , to. the tragicall historie of the life and death of doctor faustus. with new additions. written by ch. mar. printed at london for john wright, and are to be sold at his shop without newgate, , to. in a few places i have amended the text of this play by means of to .--i have made no use of the comparatively modern edition, to . dramatis personae. the pope. the emperor of germany. raymond, king of hungary. duke of saxony. bruno. duke of vanholt. martino, | frederick, | gentlemen. benvolio, | faustus. valdes, | friends to faustus. cornelius, | wagner, servant to faustus. clown. robin. dick. vintner. horse-courser. carter. an old man. scholars, cardinals, archbishop of rheims, bishops, monks, friars, soldiers, and attendants. duchess of vanholt. hostess. lucifer. belzebub. mephistophilis. good angel. evil angel. the seven deadly sins. devils. spirits in the shapes of alexander the great, of his paramour, of darius, and of helen. chorus. the tragical history of doctor faustus from the quarto of . enter chorus. chorus. not marching in the fields of thrasymene, where mars did mate the warlike carthagens; [ ] nor sporting in the dalliance of love, in courts of kings where state is overturn'd; nor in the pomp of proud audacious deeds, intends our muse to vaunt her [ ] heavenly verse: only this, gentles,--we must now perform the form of faustus' fortunes, good or bad: and now to patient judgments we appeal, and speak for faustus in his infancy. now is he born of parents base of stock, in germany, within a town call'd rhodes: at riper years, to wittenberg he went, whereas his kinsmen chiefly brought him up. so much he profits in divinity, that shortly he was grac'd with doctor's name, excelling all, and sweetly can dispute in th' heavenly matters of theology; till swoln with cunning, of [ ] a self-conceit, his waxen wings did mount above his reach, and, melting, heavens conspir'd his overthrow; for, falling to a devilish exercise, and glutted now with learning's golden gifts, he surfeits upon [ ] cursed necromancy; nothing so sweet as magic is to him, which he prefers before his chiefest bliss: and this the man that in his study sits. [exit.] faustus discovered in his study. faustus. settle thy studies, faustus, and begin to sound the depth of that thou wilt profess: having commenc'd, be a divine in show, yet level at the end of every art, and live and die in aristotle's works. sweet analytics, 'tis thou hast ravish'd me! bene disserere est finis logices. is, to dispute well, logic's chiefest end? affords this art no greater miracle? then read no more; thou hast attain'd that end: a greater subject fitteth faustus' wit: bid economy farewell, and galen come: be a physician, faustus; heap up gold, and be eterniz'd for some wondrous cure: summum bonum medicinoe sanitas, the end of physic is our body's health. why, faustus, hast thou not attain'd that end? are not thy bills hung up as monuments, whereby whole cities have escap'd the plague, and thousand [ ] desperate maladies been cur'd? yet art thou still but faustus, and a man. couldst thou make men to live eternally, or, being dead, raise them [ ] to life again, then this profession were to be esteem'd. physic, farewell! where is justinian? [reads.] si una eademque res legatur [ ] duobus, alter rem, alter valorem rei, &c. a petty [ ] case of paltry legacies! [reads.] exhoereditare filium non potest pater, nisi, &c. [ ] such is the subject of the institute, and universal body of the law: this study fits a mercenary drudge, who aims at nothing but external trash; too servile and illiberal for me. when all is done, divinity is best: jerome's bible, faustus; view it well. [reads.] stipendium peccati mors est. ha! stipendium, &c. the reward of sin is death: that's hard. [reads.] si peccasse negamus, fallimur, et nulla est in nobis veritas; if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. why, then, belike we must sin, and so consequently die: ay, we must die an everlasting death. what doctrine call you this, che sera, sera, what will be, shall be? divinity, adieu! these metaphysics of magicians, and necromantic books are heavenly; lines, circles, scenes, letters, and characters; [ ] ay, these are those that faustus most desires. o, what a world of profit and delight, of power, of honour, and omnipotence, is promis'd to the studious artizan! all things that move between the quiet poles shall be at my command: emperors and kings are but obeyed in their several provinces; but his dominion that exceeds in this, stretcheth as far as doth the mind of man; a sound magician is a demigod: here tire, my brains, to gain [ ] a deity. enter wagner. wagner, commend me to my dearest friends, the german valdes and cornelius; request them earnestly to visit me. wagner. i will, sir. [exit.] faustus. their conference will be a greater help to me than all my labours, plod i ne'er so fast. enter good angel and evil angel. good angel. o, faustus, lay that damned book aside, and gaze not on it, lest it tempt thy soul, and heap god's heavy wrath upon thy head! read, read the scriptures:--that is blasphemy. evil angel. go forward, faustus, in that famous art wherein all nature's treasure is contain'd: be thou on earth as jove is in the sky, lord and commander of these [ ] elements. [exeunt angels.] faustus. how am i glutted with conceit of this! shall i make spirits fetch me what i please, resolve me of all ambiguities, perform what desperate enterprise [ ] i will? i'll have them fly to india for gold, ransack the ocean for orient pearl, and search all corners of the new-found world for pleasant fruits and princely delicates; i'll have them read me strange philosophy, and tell the secrets of all foreign kings; i'll have them wall all germany with brass, and make swift rhine circle fair [ ] wertenberg; i'll have them fill the public schools with silk, [ ] wherewith the students shall be bravely clad; i'll levy soldiers with the coin they bring, and chase the prince of parma from our land, and reign sole king of all the provinces; yea, stranger engines for the brunt of war, than was the fiery keel at antwerp-bridge, i'll make my servile spirits to invent. enter valdes and cornelius. come, german valdes, and cornelius, and make me blest [ ] with your sage conference. valdes, sweet valdes, and cornelius, know that your words have won me at the last to practice magic and concealed arts. philosophy is odious and obscure; both law and physic are for petty wits: 'tis magic, magic that hath ravish'd me. then, gentle friends, aid me in this attempt; and i, that have with subtle syllogisms gravell'd the pastors of the german church, and made the flowering pride of wittenberg swarm [ ] to my problems, as th' infernal spirits on sweet musaeus when he came to hell, will be as cunning as agrippa was, whose shadow made all europe honour him. valdes. faustus, these books, thy wit, and our experience, shall make all nations to [ ] canonize us. as indian moors obey their spanish lords, so shall the spirits of every element be always serviceable to us three; like lions shall they guard us when we please; like almain rutters with their horsemen's staves, or lapland giants, trotting by our sides; sometimes like women, or unwedded maids, shadowing more beauty in their airy brows than have [ ] the white breasts of the queen of love: from venice shall they [ ] drag huge [ ] argosies, and from america the golden fleece that yearly stuffs [ ] old philip's treasury; if learned faustus will be resolute. faustus. valdes, as resolute am i in this as thou to live: therefore object it not. cornelius. the miracles that magic will perform will make thee vow to study nothing else. he that is grounded in astrology, enrich'd with tongues, well seen in minerals, hath all the principles magic doth require: then doubt not, faustus, but to be renowm'd, [ ] and more frequented for this mystery than heretofore the delphian oracle. the spirits tell me they can dry the sea, and fetch the treasure of all foreign wrecks, yea, all the wealth that our forefathers hid within the massy entrails of the earth: then tell me, faustus, what shall we three want? faustus. nothing, cornelius. o, this cheers my soul! come, shew me some demonstrations magical, that i may conjure in some bushy grove, and have these joys in full possession. valdes. then haste thee to some solitary grove, and bear wise bacon's and albertus' [ ] works, the hebrew psalter, and new testament; and whatsoever else is requisite we will inform thee ere our conference cease. cornelius. valdes, first let him know the words of art; and then, all other ceremonies learn'd, faustus may try his cunning by himself. valdes. first i'll instruct thee in the rudiments, and then wilt thou be perfecter than i. faustus. then come and dine with me, and, after meat, we'll canvass every quiddity thereof; for, ere i sleep, i'll try what i can do: this night i'll conjure, though i die therefore. [exeunt.] enter two scholars. first scholar. i wonder what's become of faustus, that was wont to make our schools ring with sic probo. second scholar. that shall we presently know; here comes his boy. enter wagner. first scholar. how now, sirrah! where's thy master? wagner. god in heaven knows. second scholar. why, dost not thou know, then? wagner. yes, i know; but that follows not. first scholar. go to, sirrah! leave your jesting, and tell us where he is. wagner. that follows not by force of argument, which you, being licentiates, should stand upon: therefore acknowledge your error, and be attentive. second scholar. then you will not tell us? wagner. you are deceived, for i will tell you: yet, if you were not dunces, you would never ask me such a question; for is he not corpus naturale? and is not that mobile? then wherefore should you ask me such a question? but that i am by nature phlegmatic, slow to wrath, and prone to lechery (to love, i would say), it were not for you to come within forty foot of the place of execution, although i do not doubt but to see you both hanged the next sessions. thus having triumphed over you, i will set my countenance like a precisian, and begin to speak thus:-- truly, my dear brethren, my master is within at dinner, with valdes and cornelius, as this wine, if it could speak, would inform your worships: and so, the lord bless you, preserve you, and keep you, my dear brethren! [exit.] first scholar. o faustus! then i fear that which i have long suspected, that thou art fall'n into that [ ] damned art for which they two are infamous through the world. second scholar. were he a stranger, not allied to me, the danger of his soul would make me mourn. but, come, let us go and inform the rector: it may be his grave counsel may reclaim him. [ ] first scholar. i fear me nothing will reclaim him now. second scholar. yet let us see what we can do. [exeunt.] enter faustus. [ ] faustus. now that the gloomy shadow of the night, longing to view orion's drizzling look, leaps from th' antartic world unto the sky, and dims the welkin with her [ ] pitchy breath, faustus, begin thine incantations, and try if devils will obey thy hest, seeing thou hast pray'd and sacrific'd to them. within this circle is jehovah's name, forward and backward anagrammatiz'd, th' abbreviated names of holy saints, figures of every adjunct to the heavens, and characters of signs and erring [ ] stars, by which the spirits are enforc'd to rise: then fear not, faustus, to be resolute, and try the utmost magic can perform. [thunder.] sint mihi dii acherontis propitii! valeat numen triplex jehovoe! ignei, aerii, aquatani spiritus, salvete! orientis princeps belzebub, inferni ardentis monarcha, et demogorgon, propitiamus vos, ut appareat et surgat mephistophilis dragon, quod tumeraris: [ ] per jehovam, gehennam, et consecratam aquam quam nunc spargo, signumque crucis quod nunc facio, et per vota nostra, ipse nunc surgat nobis dicatus [ ] mephistophilis! enter mephistophilis. i charge thee to return, and change thy shape; thou art too ugly to attend on me: go, and return an old franciscan friar; that holy shape becomes a devil best. [exit mephistophilis.] i see there's virtue in my heavenly words. who would not be proficient in this art? how pliant is this mephistophilis, full of obedience and humility! such is the force of magic and my spells. re-enter mephistophilis like a franciscan friar. mephist. now, faustus, what wouldst thou have me do? faustus. i charge thee wait upon me whilst i live, to do whatever faustus shall command, be it to make the moon drop from her sphere, or the ocean to overwhelm the world. mephist. i am a servant to great lucifer, and may not follow thee without his leave: no more than he commands must we perform. faustus. did not he charge thee to appear to me? mephist. no, i came hither [ ] of mine own accord. faustus. did not my conjuring speeches [ ] raise thee? speak! mephist. that was the cause, but yet per accidens; [ ] for, when we hear one rack the name of god, abjure the scriptures and his saviour christ, we fly, in hope to get his glorious soul; nor will we come, unless he use such means whereby he is in danger to be damn'd. therefore the shortest cut for conjuring is stoutly to abjure all godliness, and pray devoutly to the prince of hell. faustus. so faustus hath already done; and holds this principle, there is no chief but only belzebub; to whom faustus doth dedicate himself. this word "damnation" terrifies not me, for i confound hell in elysium: my ghost be with the old philosophers! but, leaving these vain trifles of men's souls, tell me what is that lucifer thy lord? mephist. arch-regent and commander of all spirits. faustus. was not that lucifer an angel once? mephist. yes, faustus, and most dearly lov'd of god. faustus. how comes it, then, that he is prince of devils? mephist. o, by aspiring pride and insolence; for which god threw him from the face of heaven. faustus. and what are you that live with lucifer? mephist. unhappy spirits that fell [ ] with lucifer, conspir'd against our god with lucifer, and are for ever damn'd with lucifer. faustus. where are you damn'd? mephist. in hell. faustus. how comes it, then, that thou art out of hell? mephist. why, this is hell, nor am i out of it: think'st thou that i, that saw the face of god, and tasted the eternal joys of heaven, am not tormented with ten thousand hells, in being depriv'd of everlasting bliss? o, faustus, leave these frivolous demands, which strike [ ] a terror to my fainting soul! faustus. what, is great mephistophilis so passionate for being deprived of the joys of heaven? learn thou of faustus manly fortitude, and scorn those joys thou never shalt possess. go bear these tidings to great lucifer: seeing faustus hath incurr'd eternal death by desperate thoughts against jove's deity, say, he surrenders up to him his soul, so he will spare him four and twenty years, letting him live in all voluptuousness; having thee ever to attend on me, to give me whatsoever i shall ask, to tell me whatsoever i demand, to slay mine enemies, and to aid my friends, and always be obedient to my will. go, and return to mighty lucifer, and meet me in my study at midnight, and then resolve me of thy master's mind. mephist. i will, faustus. [exit.] faustus. had i as many souls as there be stars, i'd give them all for mephistophilis. by him i'll be great emperor of the world, and make a bridge thorough [ ] the moving air, to pass the ocean with a band of men; i'll join the hills that bind the afric shore, and make that country continent to spain, and both contributary to my crown: the emperor shall not live but by my leave, nor any potentate of germany. now that i have obtain'd what i desir'd, i'll live in speculation of this art, till mephistophilis return again. [exit.] enter wagner and clown. wagner. come hither, sirrah boy. clown. boy! o, disgrace to my person! zounds, boy in your face! you have seen many boys with beards, i am sure. wagner. sirrah, [ ] hast thou no comings in? clown. yes, and goings out too, you may see, sir. wagner. alas, poor slave! see how poverty jests in his nakedness! i know the villain's out of service, and so hungry, that i know he would give his soul to the devil for a shoulder of mutton, though it were blood-raw. clown. not so neither: i had need to have it well roasted, and good sauce to it, if i pay so dear, i can tell you. wagner. sirrah, wilt thou be my man, and wait on me, and i will make thee go like qui mihi discipulus? clown. what, in verse? wagner. no, slave; in beaten silk and staves-acre. clown. staves-acre! that's good to kill vermin: then, belike, if i serve you, i shall be lousy. wagner. why, so thou shalt be, whether thou dost it or no; for, sirrah, if thou dost not presently bind thyself to me for seven years, i'll turn all the lice about thee into familiars, and make them tear thee in pieces. clown. nay, sir, you may save [ ] yourself a labour, for they are as familiar with me as if they paid for their meat and drink, i can tell you. wagner. well, sirrah, leave your jesting, and take these guilders. [gives money.] clown. yes, marry, sir; and i thank you too. wagner. so, now thou art to be at an hour's warning, whensoever and wheresoever the devil shall fetch thee. clown. here, take your guilders again; [ ] i'll none of 'em. wagner. not i; thou art pressed: prepare thyself, or [ ] i will presently raise up two devils to carry thee away.--banio! belcher! clown. belcher! an belcher come here, i'll belch him: i am not afraid of a devil. enter two devils. wagner. how now, sir! will you serve me now? clown. ay, good wagner; take away the devil[s], then. wagner. spirits, away! [exeunt devils.] now, sirrah, follow me. clown. i will, sir: but hark you, master; will you teach me this conjuring occupation? wagner. ay, sirrah, i'll teach thee to turn thyself to a dog, or a cat, or a mouse, or a rat, or any thing. clown. a dog, or a cat, or a mouse, or a rat! o, brave, wagner! wagner. villain, call me master wagner, and see that you walk attentively, and let your right eye be always diametrally fixed upon my left heel, that thou mayst quasi vestigiis nostris [ ] insistere. clown. well, sir, i warrant you. [exeunt.] faustus discovered in his study. faustus. now, faustus, must thou needs be damn'd, canst thou not be sav'd. what boots it, then, to think on god or heaven? away with such vain fancies, and despair; despair in god, and trust in belzebub: now, go not backward, [ ] faustus; be resolute: why [ ] waver'st thou? o, something soundeth in mine ear, "abjure this magic, turn to god again!" why, he loves thee not; the god thou serv'st is thine own appetite, wherein is fix'd the love of belzebub: to him i'll build an altar and a church, and offer lukewarm blood of new-born babes. enter good angel and evil angel. evil angel. go forward, faustus, in that famous [ ] art. good angel. sweet faustus, leave that execrable art. faustus. contrition, prayer, repentance--what of [ ] these? good angel. o, they are means to bring thee unto heaven! evil angel. rather illusions, fruits of lunacy, that make men [ ] foolish that do use them most. good angel. sweet faustus, think of heaven and heavenly things. evil angel. no, faustus; think of honour and of wealth. [exeunt angels.] faustus. wealth! why, the signiory of embden shall be mine. when mephistophilis shall stand by me, what power can hurt me? faustus, thou art safe: cast no more doubts.--mephistophilis, come, and bring glad tidings from great lucifer;-- is't not midnight?--come mephistophilis, and bring glad tidings from great lucifer;-- is't not midnight?--come mephistophilis, veni, veni, mephistophile! [ ] enter mephistophilis. now tell me what saith lucifer, thy lord? mephist. that i shall wait on faustus whilst he lives, so he will buy my service with his soul. faustus. already faustus hath hazarded that for thee. mephist. but now thou must bequeath it solemnly, and write a deed of gift with thine own blood; for that security craves lucifer. if thou deny it, i must back to hell. faustus. stay, mephistophilis, and tell me, what good will my soul do thy lord? mephist. enlarge his kingdom. faustus. is that the reason why he tempts us thus? mephist. solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris. faustus. why, have you any pain that torture others? mephist. as great as have the human souls of men. but, tell me, faustus, shall i have thy soul? and i will be thy slave, and wait on thee, and give thee more than thou hast wit to ask. faustus. ay, mephistophilis, i'll give it thee. [ ] mephist. then, faustus, stab thine [ ] arm courageously, and bind thy soul, that at some certain day great lucifer may claim it as his own; and [ ] then be thou as great as lucifer. faustus. [stabbing his arm] lo, mephistophilis, for love of thee, faustus hath cut his arm, and with his proper blood assures his soul to be great lucifer's, chief lord and regent of perpetual night! view here this blood that trickles from mine arm, and let it be propitious for my [ ] wish. mephist. but, faustus, write it in manner of a deed of gift. faustus. [writing] ay, so i do. but, mephistophilis, my blood congeals, and i can write no more. mephist. i'll fetch thee fire to dissolve it straight. [exit.] faustus. what might the staying of my blood portend? is it [ ] unwilling i should write this bill? why streams it not, that i may write afresh? faustus gives to thee his soul: o, there it stay'd! why shouldst thou not? is not thy soul thine own? then write again, faustus gives to thee his soul. [ ] re-enter mephistophilis with the chafer of fire. mephist. see, faustus, here is fire; set it on. faustus. so, now the blood begins to clear again; now will i make an [ ] end immediately. [writes.] mephist. what will not i do to obtain his soul? [aside.] faustus. consummatum est; this bill is ended, and faustus hath bequeath'd his soul to lucifer. but what is this inscription on mine arm? homo, fuge: whither should [ ] i fly? if unto god, [ ] he'll throw me down to hell. my senses are deceiv'd; here's nothing writ:-- o, yes, i see it plain; even here is writ, homo, fuge: yet shall not faustus fly. mephist. i'll fetch him somewhat to delight his mind. [aside, and then exit.] enter devils, giving crowns and rich apparel to faustus. they dance, and then depart. re-enter mephistophilis. faustus. what means this show? speak, mephistophilis. mephist. nothing, faustus, but to delight thy mind, and let thee see what magic can perform. faustus. but may i raise such spirits when i please? mephist. ay, faustus, and do greater things than these. faustus. then, mephistophilis, receive this scroll, [ ] a deed of gift of body and of soul: but yet conditionally that thou perform all covenants and articles between us both! mephist. faustus, i swear by hell and lucifer to effect all promises between us both! faustus. then hear me read it, mephistophilis. [reads.] on these conditions following. first, that faustus may be a spirit in form and substance. secondly, that mephistophilis shall be his servant, and be by him commanded. thirdly, that mephistophilis shall do for him, and bring him whatsoever he desires. [ ] fourthly, that he shall be in his chamber or house invisible. lastly, that he shall appear to the said john faustus, at all times, in what shape and form soever he please. i, john faustus, of wittenberg, doctor, by these presents, do give both body and soul to lucifer prince of the east, and his minister mephistophilis; and furthermore grant unto them, that, four-and- twenty years being expired, and these articles above-written being inviolate, full power to fetch or carry the said john faustus, body and soul, flesh and [ ] blood, into their habitation wheresoever. by me, john faustus. mephist. speak, faustus, do you deliver this as your deed? faustus. ay, take it, and the devil give thee good of it! mephist. so, now, faustus, ask me what thou wilt. faustus. first i will question with [ ] thee about hell. tell me, where is the [ ] place that men call hell? mephist. under the heavens. faustus. ay, so are all things else; but whereabouts? mephist. within the bowels of these elements, where we are tortur'd and remain for ever: hell hath no limits, nor is circumscrib'd in one self-place; but where we are is hell, and where hell is, there must we ever be: and, to be short, when all the world dissolves, and every creature shall be purified, all places shall be hell that are [ ] not heaven. faustus. i think hell's a fable. [ ] mephist. ay, think so still, till experience change thy mind. faustus. why, dost thou think that faustus shall be damn'd? mephist. ay, of necessity, for here's the scroll in which thou hast given thy soul to lucifer. faustus. ay, and body too; and what of that? think'st thou that faustus is so fond to imagine that, after this life, there is any pain? no, these are trifles and mere old wives' tales. mephist. but i am an instance to prove the contrary, for i tell thee i am damn'd and now in hell. faustus. nay, an this be hell, i'll willingly be damn'd: what! sleeping, eating, walking, and disputing! but, leaving this, let me have a wife, the fairest maid in germany; for i am wanton and lascivious, and cannot live without a wife. mephist. well, faustus, thou shalt have a wife. [mephistophilis fetches in a woman-devil.] faustus. what sight is this? mephist. now, faustus, wilt thou have a wife? faustus. here's a hot whore, indeed: no, i'll no wife. mephist. marriage is but a ceremonial toy, and, if thou lov'st me, think no more of it. i'll cull thee out the fairest courtezans, and bring them every morning to thy bed: she whom thine [ ] eye shall like, thy [ ] heart shall have, were she as chaste as was [ ] penelope, as wise as saba, or as beautiful as was bright lucifer before his fall. here, take this book, peruse it well: the iterating of these lines brings gold; the framing of this circle on the ground brings thunder, whirlwinds, storm, and lightning; pronounce this thrice devoutly to thyself, and men in harness [ ] shall appear to thee, ready to execute what thou command'st. faustus. thanks, mephistophilis, for this sweet book: this will i keep as chary as my life. [exeunt.] enter faustus, in his study, and mephistophilis. faustus. when i behold the heavens, [ ] then i repent, and curse thee, wicked mephistophilis, because thou hast depriv'd me of those joys. mephist. 'twas thine [ ] own seeking, faustus; thank thyself. but, think'st thou heaven is [ ] such a glorious thing? i tell thee, faustus, it is not half so fair as thou, or any man that breathes [ ] on earth. faustus. how prov'st thou that? mephist. 'twas made for man; then he's more excellent. faustus. if heaven was made for man, 'twas made for me: i will renounce this magic and repent. enter good angel and evil angel. good angel. faustus, repent; yet god will pity thee. evil angel. thou art a spirit; god cannot pity thee. faustus. who buzzeth in mine ears [ ] i am a spirit? be i a devil, yet god may pity me; yea, god will pity me, if i repent. evil angel. ay, but faustus never shall repent. [exeunt angels.] faustus. my heart is harden'd, i cannot repent; scarce can i name salvation, faith, or heaven: swords, poisons, halters, and envenom'd steel are laid before me to despatch myself; and long ere this i [ ] should have done the deed, had not sweet pleasure conquer'd deep despair. have not i made blind homer sing to me of alexander's love and oenon's death? and hath not he, that built the walls of thebes with ravishing sound of his melodious harp, made music with my mephistophilis? why should i die, then, or basely despair? i am resolv'd; faustus shall not repent.-- come, mephistophilis, let us dispute again, and reason of divine astrology. speak, are there many spheres above the moon? are all celestial bodies but one globe, as is the substance of this centric earth? mephist. as are the elements, such are the heavens, even from the moon unto th' empyreal orb, mutually folded in each other's spheres, and jointly move upon one axletree, whose termine [ ] is term'd the world's wide pole; nor are the names of saturn, mars, or jupiter feign'd, but are erring [ ] stars. faustus. but have they all one motion, both situ et tempore? mephist. all move from east to west in four-and-twenty hours upon the poles of the world; but differ in their motions upon the poles of the zodiac. faustus. these slender questions wagner can decide: hath mephistophilis no greater skill? who knows not the double motion [ ] of the planets? that the first is finish'd in a natural day; the second thus; saturn in thirty years; jupiter in twelve; mars in four; the sun, venus, and mercury in a year; the moon in twenty-eight days. these are freshmen's questions. but tell me, hath every sphere a dominion or intelligentia? mephist. ay. faustus. how many heavens or spheres are there? mephist. nine; the seven planets, the firmament, and the empyreal heaven. faustus. but is there not coelum igneum et crystallinum? mephist. no, faustus, they be but fables. faustus. resolve me, then, in this one question; why are not conjunctions, oppositions, aspects, eclipses, all at one time, but in some years we have more, in some less? mephist. per inoequalem motum respectu totius. faustus. well, i am answered. now tell me who made the world? mephist. i will not. faustus. sweet mephistophilis, tell me. mephist. move me not, faustus. faustus. villain, have i not bound thee to tell me any thing? mephist. ay, [ ] that is not against our kingdom; this is. thou art damned; think thou of hell. faustus. think, faustus, upon god that made the world. mephist. remember this. [exit.] faustus. ay, go, accursed spirit, to ugly hell! 'tis thou hast damn'd distressed faustus' soul. is't not too late? re-enter good angel and evil angel. evil angel. too late. good angel. never too late, if faustus will repent. evil angel. if thou repent, devils will tear thee in pieces. good angel. repent, and they shall never raze thy skin. [exeunt angels.] faustus. o christ, my saviour, my saviour help to save distressed faustus' soul! enter lucifer, belzebub, and mephistophilis. lucifer. christ cannot save thy soul, for he is just: there's none but i have interest in the same. faustus. o, what art thou that look'st so terribly? lucifer. i am lucifer, and this is my companion-prince in hell. faustus. o faustus, they are come to fetch thy soul! belzebub. we are come to tell thee thou dost injure us. lucifer. thou call'st of christ, contrary to thy promise. belzebub. thou shouldst not think on god. lucifer. think of the devil. belzebub. and his dam too. faustus. nor will faustus henceforth: pardon him for this, and faustus vows never to look to heaven. lucifer. so shalt thou shew thyself an obedient servant, and we will highly gratify thee for it. belzebub. faustus, we are come from hell in person to shew thee some pastime: sit down, and thou shalt behold the seven deadly sins appear to thee in their own proper shapes and likeness. faustus. that sight will be as pleasant unto me, as paradise was to adam the first day of his creation. lucifer. talk not of paradise or creation; but mark the show.-- go, mephistophilis, and [ ] fetch them in. mephistophilis brings in the seven deadly sins. belzebub. now, faustus, question them of their names and dispositions. faustus. that shall i soon.--what art thou, the [ ] first? pride. i am pride. i disdain to have any parents. i am like to ovid's flea; i can creep into every corner of a wench; sometimes, like a perriwig, i sit upon her brow; next, like a necklace, i hang about her neck; then, like a fan of feathers, i kiss her lips; [ ] and then, turning myself to a wrought smock, do what i list. but, fie, what a smell is here! i'll not speak a word more for a king's ransom, unless the ground be perfumed, and covered with cloth of arras. faustus. thou art a proud knave, indeed.--what art thou, the second? covetousness. i am covetousness, begotten of an old churl, in a leather bag: and, might i now obtain my wish, this house, you, and all, should turn to gold, that i might lock you safe into my chest: o my sweet gold! faustus. and what art thou, the third? envy. i am envy, begotten of a chimney-sweeper and an oyster-wife. i cannot read, and therefore wish all books burned. i am lean with seeing others eat. o, that there would come a famine over all the world, that all might die, and i live alone! then thou shouldst see how fat i'd be. but must thou sit, and i stand? come down, with a vengeance! faustus. out, envious wretch!--but what art thou, the fourth? wrath. i am wrath. i had neither father nor mother: i leapt out of a lion's mouth when i was scarce an hour old; and ever since have run [ ] up and down the world with this [ ] case of rapiers, wounding myself when i could get none to fight withal. i was born in hell; and look to it, for some of you shall be my father. faustus. and what art thou, the fifth? gluttony. i am gluttony. my parents are all dead, and the devil a penny they have left me, but a small pension, and that buys me thirty meals a-day and ten bevers,--a small trifle to suffice nature. i come [ ] of a royal pedigree: my father was a gammon of bacon, my mother was a hogshead of claret-wine; my godfathers were these, peter pickled-herring and martin martlemas-beef; but my godmother, o, she was an ancient gentlewoman; her name was margery march-beer. now, faustus, thou hast heard all my progeny; wilt thou bid me to supper? faustus. not i. gluttony. then the devil choke thee! faustus. choke thyself, glutton!--what art thou, the sixth? sloth. heigho! i am sloth. i was begotten on a sunny bank. heigho! i'll not speak a word more for a king's ransom. faustus. and what are you, mistress minx, the seventh and last? lechery. who, i, [ ] sir? i am one that loves an inch of raw mutton better than an ell of fried stock-fish; and the first letter of my name begins with l. [ ] lucifer. away to hell, away! on, piper! [exeunt the sins.] faustus. o, how this sight doth delight my soul! lucifer. tut, [ ] faustus, in hell is all manner of delight. faustus. o, might i see hell, and return again safe, how happy were i then! lucifer. faustus, thou shalt; at midnight i will send for thee. meanwhile peruse this book and view it throughly, and thou shalt turn thyself into what shape thou wilt. faustus. thanks, mighty lucifer! this will i keep as chary as my life. lucifer. now, faustus, farewell. faustus. farewell, great lucifer. [exeunt lucifer and belzebub.] come, mephistophilis. [exeunt.] enter robin, [ ] with a book. robin. what, dick! look to the horses there, till i come again. i have gotten one of doctor faustus' conjuring-books; and now we'll have such knavery as't passes. enter dick. dick. what, robin! you must come away and walk the horses. robin. i walk the horses! i scorn't, faith: [ ] i have other matters in hand: let the horses walk themselves, an they will.-- [reads.] a per se, a; t, h, e, the; o per se, o; demy orgon gorgon.-- keep further from me, o thou illiterate and unlearned hostler! dick. 'snails, what hast thou got there? a book! why, thou canst not tell [ ] ne'er a word on't. robin. that thou shalt see presently: keep out of the circle, i say, lest i send you into the ostry with a vengeance. dick. that's like, faith! you had best leave your foolery; for, an my master come, he'll conjure you, faith. robin. my master conjure me! i'll tell thee what; an my master come here, i'll clap as fair a [ ] pair of horns on's head as e'er thou sawest in thy life. dick. thou need'st [ ] not do that, for my mistress hath done it. robin. ay, there be of us here that have waded as deep into matters as other men, if they were disposed to talk. dick. a plague take you! i thought you did not sneak up and down after her for nothing. but, i prithee, tell me in good sadness, robin, is that a conjuring-book? robin. do but speak what thou'lt have me to do, and i'll do't: if thou'lt dance naked, put off thy clothes, and i'll conjure thee about presently; or, if thou'lt go but to the tavern with me, i'll give thee white wine, red wine, claret-wine, sack, muscadine, malmsey, and whippincrust, hold, belly, hold; [ ] and we'll not pay one penny for it. dick. o, brave! prithee, [ ] let's to it presently, for i am as dry as a dog. robin. come, then, let's away. [exeunt.] enter chorus. chorus. learned faustus, to find the secrets of astronomy graven in the book of jove's high firmament, did mount him [ ] up to scale olympus' top; where, sitting in a chariot burning bright, drawn by the strength of yoked dragons' necks, he views [ ] the clouds, the planets, and the stars, the tropic zones, and quarters of the sky, from the bright circle of the horned moon even to the height of primum mobile; and, whirling round with this [ ] circumference, within the concave compass of the pole, from east to west his dragons swiftly glide, and in eight days did bring him home again. not long he stay'd within his quiet house, to rest his bones after his weary toil; but new exploits do hale him out again: and, mounted then upon a dragon's back, that with his wings did part the subtle air, he now is gone to prove cosmography, that measures coasts and kingdoms of the earth; and, as i guess, will first arrive at rome, to see the pope and manner of his court, and take some part of holy peter's feast, the which this day is highly solemniz'd. [exit.] enter faustus and mephistophilis. faustus. having now, my good mephistophilis, pass'd with delight the stately town of trier, environ'd round [ ] with airy mountain-tops, with walls of flint, and deep-entrenched lakes, not to be won by any conquering prince; from paris next, coasting the realm of france, we saw the river maine fall into rhine, [ ] whose banks are set with groves of fruitful vines; then up to [ ] naples, rich campania, whose buildings fair and gorgeous to the eye, the streets straight forth, and pav'd with finest brick, quarter the town in four equivalents: [ ] there saw we learned maro's golden tomb; the way he cut, an english mile in length, thorough [ ] a rock of stone, in one night's space; from thence to venice, padua, and the rest, [ ] in one of which a sumptuous temple stands, that threats the stars with her aspiring top, whose frame is pav'd with sundry-colour'd stones, and roof'd aloft with curious work in gold. thus hitherto hath faustus spent his time: but tell me [ ] now, what resting-place is this? hast thou, as erst i did command, conducted me within the walls of rome? mephist. i have, my faustus; and, for proof thereof, this is the goodly palace of the pope; and, 'cause we are no common guests, i choose his privy-chamber for our use. faustus. i hope his holiness will bid us [ ] welcome. mephist. all's one, for we'll be bold with his venison. but now, my faustus, that thou mayst perceive what rome contains for to delight thine eyes, know that this city stands upon seven hills that underprop the groundwork of the same: just through [ ] the midst runs flowing tiber's stream, with winding banks that cut it in two parts; over the which two stately bridges lean, that make safe passage to each part of rome: upon the bridge call'd ponte [ ] angelo erected is a castle passing strong, where thou shalt see such store of ordnance, as that the double cannons, forg'd of brass, do match [ ] the number of the days contain'd within the compass of one complete year; beside the gates, and high pyramides, that julius caesar brought from africa. faustus. now, by the kingdoms of infernal rule, of styx, of acheron, and the fiery lake of ever-burning phlegethon, i swear that i do long to see the [ ] monuments and situation of bright-splendent rome: come, therefore, let's away. mephist. nay, stay, my faustus: i know you'd see the pope, and take some part of holy peter's feast, the which, in state and [ ] high solemnity, this day, is held through rome and italy, in honour of the pope's triumphant victory. faustus. sweet mephistophilis, thou pleasest me. whilst i am here on earth, let me be cloy'd with all things that delight the heart of man: my four-and-twenty years of liberty i'll spend in pleasure and in dalliance, that faustus' name, whilst [ ] this bright frame doth stand, may be admir'd thorough [ ] the furthest land. mephist. 'tis well said, faustus. come, then, stand by me, and thou shalt see them come immediately. faustus. nay, stay, my gentle mephistophilis, and grant me my [ ] request, and then i go. thou know'st, within the compass of eight days we view'd the face of heaven, of earth, and hell; so high our dragons soar'd into the air, that, looking down, the earth appear'd to me no bigger than my hand in quantity; there did we view the kingdoms of the world, and what might please mine eye i there beheld. then in this show let me an actor be, that this proud pope may faustus' cunning [ ] see. mephist. let it be so, my faustus. but, first, stay, and view their triumphs as they pass this way; and then devise what best contents thy mind, by cunning in thine art to cross the pope, or dash the pride of this [ ] solemnity; to make his monks and abbots stand like apes, and point like antics at [ ] his triple crown; to beat the beads about the friars' pates, or clap huge horns upon the cardinals' heads; or any villany thou canst devise; and i'll perform it, [ ] faustus. hark! they come: this day shall make thee be admir'd in rome. enter the cardinals and bishops, some bearing crosiers, some the pillars; monks and friars, singing their procession; then the pope, raymond king of hungary, the archbishop of rheims, bruno led in chains, and attendants. pope. cast down our footstool. raymond. saxon bruno, stoop, whilst on thy back his holiness ascends saint peter's chair and state pontifical. bruno. proud lucifer, that state belongs to me; but thus i fall to peter, not to thee. pope. to me and peter shalt thou grovelling lie, and crouch before the papal dignity.-- sound trumpets, then; for thus saint peter's heir, from bruno's back, ascends saint peter's chair. [a flourish while he ascends.] thus, as the gods creep on with feet of wool, long ere with iron hands they punish men, so shall our sleeping vengeance now arise, and smite with death thy hated enterprise. [ ]-- lord cardinals of france and padua, go forthwith to our [ ] holy consistory, and read, amongst the statutes decretal, what, by the holy council held at trent, the sacred synod hath decreed for him that doth assume the papal government without election and a true consent: away, and bring us word with speed. cardinal of france. we go, my lord. [exeunt cardinals of france and padua.] pope. lord raymond. [they converse in dumb show.] faustus. go, haste thee, gentle mephistophilis, follow the cardinals to the consistory; and, as they turn their superstitious books, strike them with sloth and drowsy idleness, and make them sleep so sound, that in their shapes thyself and i may parley with this [ ] pope, this proud confronter of the emperor; and, in despite of all his holiness, restore this bruno to his liberty, and bear him to the states of germany. mephist. faustus, i go. faustus. despatch it soon: the pope shall curse, that faustus came to rome. [exeunt faustus and mephistophilis.] bruno. pope adrian, let me have right [ ] of law: i was elected by the emperor. pope. we will depose the emperor for that deed, and curse the people that submit to him: both he and thou shall [ ] stand excommunicate, and interdict from church's privilege and all society of holy men. he grows too proud in his authority, lifting his lofty head above the clouds, and, like a steeple, overpeers the church: but we'll pull down his haughty insolence; and, as pope alexander, our progenitor, trod on the neck of german frederick, adding this golden sentence to our praise, "that peter's heirs should tread on emperors, and walk upon the dreadful adder's back, treading the lion and the dragon down, and fearless spurn the killing basilisk," so will we quell that haughty schismatic, and, by authority apostolical, depose him from his regal government. bruno. pope julius swore to princely sigismond, for him and the succeeding popes of rome, to hold the emperors their lawful lords. pope. pope julius did abuse the church's rights, and therefore none of his decrees can stand. is not all power on earth bestow'd on us? and therefore, though we would, we cannot err. behold this silver belt, whereto is fix'd seven golden seals, fast sealed with seven seals, in token of our seven-fold power from heaven, to bind or loose, lock fast, condemn or judge, resign or seal, or what so pleaseth us: then he and thou, and all the world, shall stoop, or be assured of our dreadful curse, to light as heavy as the pains of hell. re-enter faustus and mephistophilis, in the shapes of the cardinals of france and padua. mephist. now tell me, faustus, are we not fitted well? faustus. yes, mephistophilis; and two such cardinals ne'er serv'd a holy pope as we shall do. but, whilst they sleep within the consistory, let us salute his reverend fatherhood. raymond. behold, my lord, the cardinals are return'd. pope. welcome, grave fathers: answer presently what hath [ ] our holy council there decreed concerning bruno and the emperor, in quittance of their late conspiracy against our state and papal dignity? faustus. most sacred patron of the church of rome, by full consent of all the synod [ ] of priests and prelates, it is thus decreed,-- that bruno and the german emperor be held as lollards and bold schismatics, and proud disturbers of the church's peace; and if that bruno, by his own assent, without enforcement of the german peers, did seek to wear the triple diadem, and by your death to climb saint peter's chair, the statutes decretal have thus decreed,-- he shall be straight condemn'd of heresy, and on a pile of faggots burnt to death. pope. it is enough. here, take him to your charge, and bear him straight to ponte [ ] angelo, and in the strongest tower enclose him fast. to-morrow, sitting in our consistory, with all our college of grave cardinals, we will determine of his life or death. here, take his [ ] triple crown along with you, and leave it in the church's treasury. make haste again, my good lord cardinals, and take our blessing apostolical. mephist. so, so; was never devil thus bless'd before. faustus. away, sweet mephistophilis, be gone; the cardinals will be plagu'd for this anon. [exeunt faustus and mephistophilis with bruno.] pope. go presently and bring a banquet forth, that we may solemnize saint peter's feast, and with lord raymond, king of hungary, drink to our late and happy victory. a sennet [ ] while the banquet is brought in; and then enter faustus and mephistophilis in their own shapes. mephist. now, faustus, come, prepare thyself for mirth: the sleepy cardinals are hard at hand, to censure bruno, that is posted hence, and on a proud-pac'd steed, as swift as thought, flies o'er the alps to fruitful germany, there to salute the woful emperor. faustus. the pope will curse them for their sloth to-day, that slept both bruno and his crown away. but now, that faustus may delight his mind, and by their folly make some merriment, sweet mephistophilis, so charm me here, that i may walk invisible to all, and do whate'er i please, unseen of any. mephist. faustus, thou shalt: then kneel down presently, whilst on thy head i lay my hand, and charm thee with this magic wand. first, wear this girdle; then appear invisible to all are here: the planets seven, the gloomy air, hell, and the furies' forked hair, pluto's blue fire, and hecat's tree, with magic spells so compass thee, that no eye may thy body see! so, faustus, now, for all their holiness, do what thou wilt, thou shalt not be discern'd. faustus. thanks, mephistophilis.--now, friars, take heed, lest faustus make your shaven crowns to bleed. mephist. faustus, no more: see, where the cardinals come! re-enter the cardinals of france and padua with a book. pope. welcome, lord cardinals; come, sit down.-- lord raymond, take your seat.--friars, attend, and see that all things be [ ] in readiness, as best beseems this solemn festival. cardinal of france. first, may it please your sacred holiness to view the sentence of the reverend synod concerning bruno and the emperor? pope. what needs this question? did i not tell you, to-morrow we would sit i' the consistory, and there determine of his punishment? you brought us word even now, it was decreed that bruno and the cursed emperor were by the holy council both condemn'd for loathed lollards and base schismatics: then wherefore would you have me view that book? cardinal of france. your grace mistakes; you gave us no such charge. raymond. deny it not; we all are witnesses that bruno here was late deliver'd you, with his rich triple crown to be reserv'd and put into the church's treasury. both cardinals. by holy paul, we saw them not! pope. by peter, you shall die, unless you bring them forth immediately!-- hale them to [ ] prison, lade their limbs with gyves.-- false prelates, for this hateful treachery curs'd be your souls to hellish misery! [exeunt attendants with the two cardinals.] faustus. so, they are safe. now, faustus, to the feast: the pope had never such a frolic guest. pope. lord archbishop of rheims, sit down with us. archbishop. [ ] i thank your holiness. faustus. fall to; the devil choke you, [ ] an you spare! pope. who is that spoke?--friars, look about.-- lord raymond, pray, fall to. i am beholding [ ] to the bishop of milan for this so rare a present. faustus. i thank you, sir. [snatches the dish.] pope. how now! who snatch'd the meat from me? villains, why speak you not?-- my good lord archbishop, here's a most dainty dish was sent me from a cardinal in france. faustus. i'll have that too. [snatches the dish.] pope. what lollards do attend our holiness, that we receive such [ ] great indignity? fetch me some wine. faustus. ay, pray, do, for faustus is a-dry. pope. lord raymond, i drink unto your grace. faustus. i pledge your grace. [snatches the cup.] pope. my wine gone too!--ye lubbers, look about, and find the man that doth this villany, or, by our sanctitude, you all shall die!-- i pray, my lords, have patience at this troublesome banquet. archbishop. please it [ ] your holiness, i think it be some ghost crept out of purgatory, and now is come unto your holiness for his pardon. pope. it may be so.-- go, then, command our priests to sing a dirge, to lay the fury of this same troublesome ghost. [exit an attendant.--the pope crosses himself.] faustus. how now! must every bit be spic'd with a cross?-- nay, then, take that. [strikes the pope.] pope. o, i am slain!--help me, my lords! o, come and help to bear my body hence!-- damn'd be his [ ] soul for ever for this deed! [exeunt all except faustus and mephistophilis.] mephist. now, faustus, what will you do now? for i can tell you you'll be cursed with bell, book, and candle. faustus. bell, book, and candle,--candle, book, and bell,-- forward and backward, to curse faustus to hell! re-enter the friars, with bell, book, and candle, for the dirge. first friar. come, brethren, lets about our business with good devotion. [they sing.] cursed be he that stole his holiness' meat from the table! maledicat dominus! cursed be he that struck [ ] his holiness a blow on [ ] the face! maledicat dominus! cursed be he that struck friar sandelo a blow on the pate! maledicat dominus! cursed be he that disturbeth our holy dirge! maledicat dominus! cursed be he that took away his holiness' wine! maledicat dominus! [mephistophilis and faustus beat the friars, and fling fire-works among them, and exeunt.] enter robin and dick with a cup. dick. sirrah robin, we were best look that your devil can answer the stealing of this same [ ] cup, for the vintner's boy follows us at the hard heels. [ ] robin. 'tis no matter; let him come: an he follow us, i'll so conjure him as he was never conjured in his life, i warrant him. let me see the cup. dick. here 'tis. [gives the cup to robin.] yonder he comes: now, robin, now or never shew thy cunning. enter vintner. [ ] vintner. o, are you here? i am glad i have found you. you are a couple of fine companions: pray, where's the cup you stole from the tavern? robin. how, how! we steal a cup! take heed what you say: we look not like cup-stealers, i can tell you. vintner. never deny't, for i know you have it; and i'll search you. robin. search me! ay, and spare not. --hold the cup, dick [aside to dick, giving him the cup].-- come, come, search me, search me. [vintner searches him.] vintner. come on, sirrah, let me search you now. dick. ay, ay, do, do. --hold the cup, robin [aside to robin, giving him the cup].-- i fear not your searching: we scorn to steal your [ ] cups, i can tell you. [vintner searches him.] vintner. never out-face me for the matter; for, sure, the cup is between you two. robin. nay, there you lie; 'tis beyond us both. vintner. a plague take you! i thought 'twas your knavery to take it away: come, give it me again. robin. ay, much! [ ] when, can you tell?--dick, make me a circle, and stand close at my back, and stir not for thy life.--vintner, you shall have your cup anon.--say nothing, dick.--[reads from a book] o per se, o; demogorgon; belcher, and mephistophilis! enter mephistophilis. mephist. you princely legions of infernal rule, how am i vexed by these villains' charms! from constantinople have they brought me now, only for pleasure of these damned slaves. [exit vintner.] robin. by lady, [ ] sir, you have had a shrewd journey of it! will it please you to [ ] take a shoulder of mutton to supper, and a tester [ ] in your purse, and go back again? dick. ay, i pray you heartily, sir; for we called you but in jest, i promise you. mephist. to purge the rashness of this cursed deed, first, be thou turned to this ugly shape, for apish deeds transformed to an ape. robin. o, brave! an ape! i pray, sir, let me have the carrying of him about, to shew some tricks. mephist. and so thou shalt: be thou transformed to a dog, and carry him upon thy back. away! be gone! robin. a dog! that's excellent: let the maids look well to their porridge-pots, for i'll into the kitchen presently.--come, dick, come. [exeunt robin and dick.] mephist. now with the flames of ever-burning fire i'll wing myself, and forthwith fly amain(sic) unto my faustus, to the great turk's court. [exit.] enter martino and frederick at several doors. martino. what, ho, officers, gentlemen! hie to the presence to attend the emperor.-- good frederick, see the rooms be voided straight: his majesty is coming to the hall; go back, and see the state [ ] in readiness. frederick. but where is bruno, our elected pope, that on a fury's back came post from rome? will not his grace consort the emperor? martino. o, yes; and with him comes the german conjurer, the learned faustus, fame of wittenberg, the wonder of the world for magic art; and he intends to shew great carolus the race of all his stout progenitors, and bring in presence of his majesty the royal shapes and perfect [ ] semblances of alexander and his beauteous paramour. frederick. where is benvolio? martino. fast asleep, i warrant you; he took his rouse [ ] with stoops of rhenish wine so kindly yesternight to bruno's health, that all this day the sluggard keeps his bed. frederick. see, see, his window's ope! we'll call to him. martino. what, ho! benvolio! enter benvolio above, at a window, in his nightcap, buttoning. benvolio. what a devil ail you two? martino. speak softly, sir, lest the devil hear you; for faustus at the court is late arriv'd, and at his heels a [ ] thousand furies wait, to accomplish whatsoe'er the doctor please. benvolio. what of this? martino. come, leave thy chamber first, and thou shalt see this conjurer perform such rare exploits, before the pope and royal emperor, as never yet was seen in germany. benvolio. has not the pope enough of conjuring yet? he was upon the devil's back late enough: an if he be so far in love with him, i would he would post with him to rome again! frederick. speak, wilt thou come and see this sport? benvolio. not i. martino. wilt thou stand in thy window, and see it, then? benvolio. ay, an i fall not asleep i' the mean time. martino. the emperor is at hand, who comes to see what wonders by black spells may compass'd be. benvolio. well, go you attend the emperor. i am content, for this once, to thrust my head out at a [ ] window; for they say, if a man be drunk over night, the devil cannot hurt him in the morning: if that be true, i have a charm in my head, shall control him as well as the conjurer, i warrant you. [exeunt frederick and martino.] a sennet. enter charles the german emperor, bruno, duke of saxony, faustus, mephistophilis, frederick, martino, and attendants. emperor. wonder of men, renowm'd [ ] magician, thrice-learned faustus, welcome to our court. this deed of thine, in setting bruno free from his and our professed enemy, shall add more excellence unto thine art than if by powerful necromantic spells thou couldst command the world's obedience: for ever be belov'd of carolus! and if this bruno, thou hast late redeem'd, in peace possess the triple diadem, and sit in peter's chair, despite of chance, thou shalt be famous through [ ] all italy, and honour'd of the german emperor. faustus. these [ ] gracious words, most royal carolus, shall make poor faustus, to his utmost power, both love and serve the german emperor, and lay his life at holy bruno's feet: for proof whereof, if so your grace be pleas'd, the doctor stands prepar'd by power of art to cast his magic charms, that shall pierce through [ ] the ebon gates of ever-burning hell, and hale the stubborn furies from their caves, to compass whatsoe'er your grace commands. benvolio. blood, he speaks terribly! but, for all that, i do not greatly believe him: he looks as like a [ ] conjurer as the pope to a costermonger. [aside.] emperor. then, faustus, as thou late didst promise us, we would behold that famous conqueror, great alexander, and his paramour, in their true shapes and state majestical, that we may wonder at their excellence. faustus. your majesty shall see them presently.-- mephistophilis, away, and, with a solemn noise of trumpets' sound, present before this [ ] royal emperor great alexander and his beauteous paramour. mephist. faustus, i will. [exit.] benvolio. well, master doctor, an your devils come not away quickly, you shall have me asleep presently: zounds, i could eat myself for anger, to think i have been such an ass all this while, to stand gaping after the devil's governor, and can see nothing! faustus. i'll make you feel something anon, if my art fail me not.-- my lord, i must forewarn your majesty, that, when my spirits present the royal shapes of alexander and his paramour, your grace demand [ ] no questions of the king, but in dumb silence let them come and go. emperor. be it as faustus please; we are content. benvolio. ay, ay, and i am content too: an thou bring alexander and his paramour before the emperor, i'll be actaeon, and turn myself to a stag. faustus. and i'll play diana, and send you the horns presently. sennet. enter, at one door, [ ] the emperor alexander, at the other, darius. they meet. darius is thrown down; alexander kills him, takes off his crown, and, offering to go out, his paramour meets him. he embraceth her, and sets darius' crown upon her head; and, coming back, both salute the emperor, who, leaving his state, [ ] offers to embrace them; which faustus seeing, suddenly stays him. then trumpets cease, and music sounds. my gracious lord, you do forget yourself; these [ ] are but shadows, not substantial. emperor. o, pardon me! my thoughts are so ravish'd with sight of this renowmed [ ] emperor, that in mine arms i would have compass'd him. but, faustus, since i may not speak to them, to satisfy my longing thoughts [ ] at full, let me this tell thee: i have heard it said that this fair lady, whilst [ ] she liv'd on earth, had on her neck a little wart or mole; how may i prove that saying to be true? faustus. your majesty may boldly go and see. emperor. faustus, i see it plain; and in this sight thou better pleasest me than if i gain'd [ ] another monarchy. faustus. away! be gone! [exit show.]--see, see, my gracious lord! what strange beast is yon, that thrusts his head out at window? [ ] emperor. o, wondrous sight!--see, duke of saxony, two spreading horns most strangely fastened upon the head of young benvolio! saxony. what, is he asleep or dead? faustus. he sleeps, my lord; but dreams not of his horns. emperor. this sport is excellent: we'll call and wake him.-- what, ho, benvolio! benvolio. a plague upon you! let me sleep a while. emperor. i blame thee not to sleep much, having such a head of thine own. saxony. look up, benvolio; 'tis the emperor calls. benvolio. the emperor! where?--o, zounds, my head! emperor. nay, an thy horns hold, 'tis no matter for thy head, for that's armed sufficiently. faustus. why, how now, sir knight! what, hanged by the horns! this is [ ] most horrible: fie, fie, pull in your head, for shame! let not all the world wonder at you. benvolio. zounds, doctor, this is [ ] your villany! faustus. o, say not so, sir! the doctor has no skill, no art, no cunning, to present these lords, or bring before this royal emperor the mighty monarch, warlike alexander. if faustus do it, you are straight resolv'd, in bold actaeon's shape, to turn a stag:-- and therefore, my lord, so please your majesty, i'll raise a kennel of hounds shall hunt him so as [ ] all his footmanship shall scarce prevail to keep his carcass from their bloody fangs.-- ho, belimoth, argiron, asteroth! [ ] benvolio. hold, hold!--zounds, he'll raise up a kennel of devils, i think, anon.--good my lord, entreat for me.--'sblood, i am never able to endure these torments. emperor. then, good master doctor, let me entreat you to remove his horns; he has [ ] done penance now sufficiently. faustus. my gracious lord, not so much for injury done to me, as to delight your majesty with some mirth, hath faustus justly requited this injurious knight; which being all i desire, i am content to remove his horns. [ ]--mephistophilis, transform him [mephistophilis removes the horns]:--and hereafter, sir, [ ] look you speak well of scholars. benvolio. speak well of ye! 'sblood, an scholars be such cuckold-makers, to clap horns of [ ] honest men's heads o' this order, i'll ne'er trust smooth faces and small ruffs more.--but, an i be not revenged for this, would i might be turned to a gaping oyster, and drink nothing but salt water! [aside, and then exit above.] emperor. come, faustus: while the emperor lives, in recompense of this thy high desert, thou shalt command the state of germany, and live belov'd of mighty carolus. [exeunt.] enter benvolio, martino, frederick, and soldiers. martino. nay, sweet benvolio, let us sway [ ] thy thoughts from this attempt against the conjurer. [ ] benvolio. away! you love me not, to urge me thus: shall i let slip so great an injury, when every servile groom jests at my wrongs, and in their rustic gambols proudly say, "benvolio's head was grac'd with horns today?" o, may these eyelids never close again, till with my sword i have that [ ] conjurer slain! if you will aid me in this enterprise, then draw your weapons and be resolute; if not, depart: here will benvolio die, but faustus' death shall quit my [ ] infamy. frederick. nay, we will stay with thee, betide what may, and kill that [ ] doctor, if he come this way. benvolio. then, gentle frederick, hie thee to the grove, and place our servants and our followers close in an [ ] ambush there behind the trees. by this, i know the conjurer is near: i saw him kneel, and kiss the emperor's hand, and take his leave, laden with rich rewards. then, soldiers, boldly [ ] fight: if faustus die, take you the wealth, leave us the victory. frederick. come, soldiers, follow me unto the grove: who kills him shall have gold and endless love. [exit frederick with soldiers.] benvolio. my head is lighter, than it was, by the horns; but yet my heart's [ ] more ponderous than my head, and pants until i see that [ ] conjurer dead. martino. where shall we place ourselves, benvolio? benvolio. here will we stay to bide the first assault: o, were that damned hell-hound but in place, thou soon shouldst see me quit my foul disgrace! re-enter frederick. frederick. close, close! the conjurer is at hand, and all alone comes walking in his gown; be ready, then, and strike the [ ] peasant down. benvolio. mine be that honour, then. now, sword, strike home! for horns he gave i'll have his head anon. martino. see, see, he comes! enter faustus with a false head. benvolio. no words. this blow ends all: hell take his soul! his body thus must fall. [stabs faustus.] faustus. [falling.] o! frederick. groan you, master doctor? benvolio. break may his heart with groans!--dear frederick, see, thus will i end his griefs immediately. martino. strike with a willing hand. [benvolio strikes off faustus' head.] his head is off. benvolio. the devil's dead; the furies now [ ] may laugh. frederick. was this that stern aspect, that awful frown, made the grim monarch of infernal spirits tremble and quake at his commanding charms? martino. was this that damned head, whose art [ ] conspir'd benvolio's shame before the emperor? benvolio. ay, that's the head, and there [ ] the body lies, justly rewarded for his villanies. frederick. come, let's devise how we may add more shame to the black scandal of his hated name. benvolio. first, on his head, in quittance of my wrongs, i'll nail huge forked horns, and let them hang within the window where he yok'd me first, that all the world may see my just revenge. martino. what use shall we put his beard to? benvolio. we'll sell it to a chimney-sweeper: it will wear out ten birchen brooms, i warrant you. frederick. what shall his [ ] eyes do? benvolio. we'll pull [ ] out his eyes; and they shall serve for buttons to his lips, to keep his tongue from catching cold. martino. an excellent policy! and now, sirs, having divided him, what shall the body do? [faustus rises.] benvolio. zounds, the devil's alive again! frederick. give him his head, for god's sake. faustus. nay, keep it: faustus will have heads and hands, ay, all [ ] your hearts to recompense this deed. knew you not, traitors, i was limited for four-and-twenty years to breathe on earth? and, had you cut my body with your swords, or hew'd this flesh and bones as small as sand, yet in a minute had my spirit return'd, and i had breath'd a man, made free from harm. but wherefore do i dally my revenge?-- asteroth, belimoth, mephistophilis? enter mephistophilis, and other devils. go, horse these traitors on your fiery backs, and mount aloft with them as high as heaven: thence pitch them headlong to the lowest hell. yet, stay: the world shall see their misery, and hell shall after plague their treachery. go, belimoth, and take this caitiff hence, and hurl him in some lake of mud and dirt. take thou this other, drag him through [ ] the woods amongst [ ] the pricking thorns and sharpest briers; whilst, with my gentle mephistophilis, this traitor flies unto some steepy rock, that, rolling down, may break the villain's bones, as he intended to dismember me. fly hence; despatch my charge immediately. frederick. pity us, gentle faustus! save our lives! faustus. away! frederick. he must needs go that the devil drives. [exeunt mephistophilis and devils with benvolio, martino, and frederick.] enter the ambushed soldiers. [ ] first soldier. come, sirs, prepare yourselves in readiness; make haste to help these noble gentlemen: i heard them parley with the conjurer. second soldier. see, where he comes! despatch and kill the slave. faustus. what's here? an ambush to betray my life! then, faustus, try thy skill.--base peasants, stand! for, lo, these [ ] trees remove at my command, and stand as bulwarks 'twixt yourselves and me, to shield me from your hated treachery! yet, to encounter this your weak attempt, behold, an army comes incontinent! faustus strikes the door, [ ] and enter a devil playing on a drum; after him another, bearing an ensign; and divers with weapons; mephistophilis with fire-works. they set upon the soldiers, drive them out, and exeunt. enter, at several doors, benvolio, frederick, and martino, their heads and faces bloody, and besmeared with mud and dirt; all having horns on their heads. martino. what, ho, benvolio! benvolio. here.--what, frederick, ho! frederick. o, help me, gentle friend!--where is martino? martino. dear frederick, here, half smother'd in a lake of mud and dirt, through which the furies dragg'd me by the heels. frederick. martino, see, benvolio's horns again! martino. o, misery!--how now, benvolio! benvolio. defend me, heaven! shall i be haunted still? martino. nay, fear not, man; we have no power to kill. benvolio. my friends transformed thus! o, hellish spite! your heads are all set with horns. frederick. you hit it right; it is your own you mean; feel on your head. benvolio. zounds, [ ] horns again! martino. nay, chafe not, man; we all are [ ] sped. benvolio. what devil attends this damn'd magician, that, spite of spite, our wrongs are doubled? frederick. what may we do, that we may hide our shames? benvolio. if we should follow him to work revenge, he'd join long asses' ears to these huge horns, and make us laughing-stocks to all the world. martino. what shall we, then, do, dear benvolio? benvolio. i have a castle joining near these woods; and thither we'll repair, and live obscure, till time shall alter these [ ] our brutish shapes: sith black disgrace hath thus eclips'd our fame, we'll rather die with grief than live with shame. [exeunt.] enter faustus, a horse-courser, and mephistophilis. horse-courser. i beseech your worship, accept of these forty dollars. faustus. friend, thou canst not buy so good a horse for so small a price. i have no great need to sell him: but, if thou likest him for ten dollars more, take him, because i see thou hast a good mind to him. horse-courser. i beseech you, sir, accept of this: i am a very poor man, and have lost very much of late by horse-flesh, and this bargain will set me up again. faustus. well, i will not stand with thee: give me the money [horse-courser gives faustus the money]. now, sirrah, i must tell you that you may ride him o'er hedge and ditch, and spare him not; but, do you hear? in any case, ride him not into the water. horse-courser. how, sir! not into the water! why, will he not drink of all waters? faustus. yes, he will drink of all waters; but ride him not into the water: o'er hedge and ditch, or where thou wilt, but not into the water. go, bid the hostler deliver him unto you, and remember what i say. horse-courser. i warrant you, sir!--o, joyful day! now am i a made man for ever. [exit.] faustus. what art thou, faustus, but a man condemn'd to die? thy fatal time draws to a final end; despair doth drive distrust into my thoughts: confound these passions with a quiet sleep: tush, christ did call the thief upon the cross; then rest thee, faustus, quiet in conceit. [he sits to sleep.] re-enter the horse-courser, wet. horse-courser. , what a cozening doctor was this! i, riding my horse into the water, thinking some hidden mystery had been in the horse, i had nothing under me but a little straw, and had much ado to escape [ ] drowning. well, i'll go rouse him, and make him give me my forty dollars again.--ho, sirrah doctor, you cozening scab! master doctor, awake, and rise, and give me my money again, for your horse is turned to a bottle of hay, master doctor! [he pulls off faustus' leg]. alas, i am undone! what shall i do? i have pulled off his leg. faustus. o, help, help! the villain hath murdered me. horse-courser. murder or not murder, now he has [ ] but one leg, i'll outrun him, and cast this leg into some ditch or other. [aside, and then runs out.] faustus. stop him, stop him, stop him!--ha, ha, ha! faustus hath his leg again, and the horse-courser a bundle of hay for his forty dollars. enter wagner. how now, wagner! what news with thee? wagner. if it please you, the duke of vanholt doth earnestly entreat your company, and hath sent some of his men to attend you, [ ] with provision fit for your journey. faustus. the duke of vanholt's an honourable gentleman, and one to whom i must be no niggard of my cunning. come, away! [exeunt. enter robin, dick, the horse-courser, and a carter. carter. come, my masters, i'll bring you to the best beer in europe.--what, ho, hostess! where be these whores? enter hostess. hostess. how now! what lack you? what, my old guess! [ ] welcome. robin. sirrah dick, dost thou [ ] know why i stand so mute? dick. no, robin: why is't? robin. i am eighteen-pence on the score. but say nothing; see if she have forgotten me. hostess. who's this that stands so solemnly by himself? what, my old guest! robin. o, hostess, how do you? i hope my score stands still. hostess. ay, there's no doubt of that; for methinks you make no haste to wipe it out. dick. why, hostess, i say, fetch us some beer. hostess. you shall presently.--look up into the hall there, ho! [exit.--drink is presently brought in.] dick. come, sirs, what shall we do now [ ] till mine hostess comes? carter. marry, sir, [ ] i'll tell you the bravest tale how a conjurer served me. you know doctor faustus? horse-courser. ay, a plague take him! here's some on's have cause to know him. did he conjure thee too? carter. i'll tell you how he served me. as i was going to wittenberg, t'other day, [ ] with a load of hay, he met me, and asked me what he should give me for as much hay as he could eat. now, sir, i thinking that a little would serve his turn, bad him take as much as he would for three farthings: so he presently gave me my [ ] money and fell to eating; and, as i am a cursen [ ] man, he never left eating till he had eat up all my load of hay. all. o, monstrous! eat a whole load of hay! robin. yes, yes, that may be; for i have heard of one that has eat a load of logs. horse-courser. now, sirs, you shall hear how villanously he served me. i went to him yesterday to buy a horse of him, and he would by no means sell him under forty dollars. so, sir, because i knew him to be such a horse as would run over hedge and ditch and never tire, i gave him his money. so, when i had my horse, doctor faustus bad me ride him night and day, and spare him no time; but, quoth he, in any case, ride him not into the water. now, sir, i thinking the horse had had some quality [ ] that he would not have me know of, what did i but rid [ ] him into a great river? and when i came just in the midst, my horse vanished away, and i sate straddling upon a bottle of hay. all. o, brave doctor! horse-courser. but you shall hear how bravely i served him for it. i went me home to his house, and there i found him asleep. i kept a hallooing and whooping in his ears; but all could not wake him. i, seeing that, took him by the leg, and never rested pulling till i had pulled me his leg quite off; and now 'tis at home in mine hostry. robin. and has the doctor but one leg, then? that's excellent; for one of his devils turned me into the likeness of an ape's face. carter. some more drink, hostess! robin. hark you, we'll into another room and drink a while, and then we'll go seek out the doctor. [exeunt.] enter the duke of vanholt, his duchess, faustus, mephistophilis, and attendants. duke. thanks, master doctor, for these pleasant sights; nor know i how sufficiently to recompense your great deserts in erecting that enchanted castle in the air, [ ] the sight whereof so delighted [ ] me as nothing in the world could please me more. faustus. i do think myself, my good lord, highly recompensed in that it pleaseth [ ] your grace to think but well of that which faustus hath performed.--but, gracious lady, it may be that you have taken no pleasure in those sights; therefore, i pray you tell me, what is the thing you most desire to have; be it in the world, it shall be yours: i have heard that great-bellied women do long for things are rare and dainty. duchess. true, master doctor; and, since i find you so kind, i will make known unto you what my heart desires to have; and, were it now summer, as it is january, a dead time of the winter, i would request no better meat than a dish of ripe grapes. faustus. this is but a small matter.--go, mephistophilis; away! [exit mephistophilis.] madam, i will do more than this for your content. re-enter mephistophilis with grapes. here now, taste you these: they should be good, for they come [ ] from a far country, i can tell you. duke. this makes me wonder more than all the rest, that at this time of the year, when every tree is barren of his fruit, from whence you had these ripe grapes. [ ] faustus. please it your grace, the year is divided into two circles over the whole world; so that, when it is winter with us, in the contrary circle it is likewise summer with them, as in india, saba, and such countries that lie far east, where they have fruit twice a-year; from whence, by means of a swift spirit that i have, i had these grapes brought, as you see. duchess. and, trust me, they are the sweetest grapes that e'er i tasted. the clowns bounce [ ] at the gate, within. duke. what rude disturbers have we at the gate? go, pacify their fury, set it ope, and then demand of them what they would have. [they knock again, and call out to talk with faustus.] servant. why, how now, masters! what a coil is there! what is the reason you disturb the duke? dick [within]. we have no reason for it; therefore a fig for him! servant. why, saucy varlets, dare you be so bold? horse-courser [within]. i hope, sir, we have wit enough to be more bold than welcome. servant. it appears so: pray, be bold elsewhere, and trouble not the duke. duke. what would they have? servant. they all cry out to speak with doctor faustus. carter [within]. ay, and we will speak with him. duke. will you, sir?--commit the rascals. dick [within]. commit with us! he were as good commit with his father as commit with us. faustus. i do beseech your grace, let them come in; they are good subject for [ ] a merriment. duke. do as thou wilt, faustus; i give thee leave. faustus. i thank your grace. enter robin, dick, carter, and horse-courser. why, how now, my good friends! faith, you are too outrageous: but, come near; i have procur'd your pardons: [ ] welcome, all. robin. nay, sir, we will be welcome for our money, and we will pay for what we take.--what, ho! give's half a dozen of beer here, and be hanged! faustus. nay, hark you; can you tell me [ ] where you are? carter. ay, marry, can i; we are under heaven. servant. ay; but, sir saucebox, know you in what place? horse-courser. ay, ay, the house is good enough to drink in. --zouns, fill us some beer, or we'll break all the barrels in the house, and dash out all your brains with your bottles! faustus. be not so furious: come, you shall have beer.-- my lord, beseech you give me leave a while; i'll gage my credit 'twill content your grace. duke. with all my heart, kind doctor; please thyself; our servants and our court's at thy command. faustus. i humbly thank your grace.--then fetch some beer. horse-courser. ay, marry, there spake [ ] a doctor, indeed! and, faith, i'll drink a health to thy wooden leg for that word. faustus. my wooden leg! what dost thou mean by that? carter. ha, ha, ha!--dost hear him, [ ] dick? he has forgot his leg. horse-courser. ay, ay, he does not stand much upon that. faustus. no, faith; not much upon a wooden leg. carter. good lord, that flesh and blood should be so frail with your worship! do not you remember a horse-courser you sold a horse to? faustus. yes, i remember i sold one a horse. carter. and do you remember you bid he should not ride him [ ] into the water? faustus. yes, i do very well remember that. carter. and do you remember nothing of your leg? faustus. no, in good sooth. carter. then, i pray you, [ ] remember your courtesy. faustus. i [ ] thank you, sir. carter. 'tis not so much worth. i pray you, tell me one thing. faustus. what's that? carter. be both your legs bed-fellows every night together? faustus. wouldst thou make a colossus of me, that thou askest me such questions? carter. no, truly, sir; i would make nothing of you; but i would fain know that. enter hostess with drink. faustus. then, i assure thee certainly, they are. carter. i thank you; i am fully satisfied. faustus. but wherefore dost thou ask? carter. for nothing, sir: but methinks you should have a wooden bed-fellow of one of 'em. horse-courser. why, do you hear, sir? did not i [ ] pull off one of your legs when you were asleep? faustus. but i have it again, now i am awake: look you here, sir. all. o, horrible! had the doctor three legs? carter. do you remember, sir, how you cozened me, and eat up my load of---- [faustus, in the middle of each speech, charms them dumb.] dick. do you remember how you made me wear an ape's---- horse-courser. you whoreson conjuring scab, do you remember how you cozened me with a ho---- robin. ha' [ ] you forgotten me? you think to carry it away with your hey-pass and re-pass: do you remember the dog's fa---- [exeunt clowns.] hostess. who pays for the ale? hear you, master doctor; now you have sent away my guess, [ ] i pray who shall pay me for my a---- [exit hostess.] duchess. my lord, we are much beholding [ ] to this learned man. duke. so are we, madam; which we will recompense with all the love and kindness that we may: his artful sport [ ] drives all sad thoughts away. [exeunt.] thunder and lightning. enter devils with covered dishes; mephistophilis leads them into faustus's study; then enter wagner. wagner. i think my master [ ] means to die shortly; he has made his will, and given me his wealth, his house, his goods, [ ] and store of golden plate, besides two thousand ducats ready-coined. i wonder what he means: if death were nigh, he would not frolic thus. he's now at supper with the scholars, where there's such belly-cheer as wagner in his life ne'er [ ] saw the like: and, see where they come! belike the feast is ended. [ ] [exit.] enter faustus, mephistophilis, and two or three scholars. first scholar. master doctor faustus, since our conference about fair ladies, which was the beautifulest in all the world, we have determined with ourselves that helen of greece was the admirablest lady that ever lived: therefore, master doctor, if you will do us so much favour as to let us see that peerless dame of greece, whom all the world admires for majesty, we should think ourselves much beholding unto you. faustus. gentlemen, for that i know your friendship is unfeign'd, it is not faustus' custom to deny the just request of those that wish him well: you shall behold that peerless dame of greece, no otherwise for pomp or majesty than when sir paris cross'd the seas with her, and brought the spoils to rich dardania. be silent, then, for danger is in words. music sounds. mephistophilis brings in helen; she passeth over the stage. second scholar. was this fair helen, whose admired worth made greece with ten years' war [ ] afflict poor troy? third scholar. too simple is my wit [ ] to tell her worth, whom all the world admires for majesty. first scholar. now we have seen the pride of nature's work, we'll take our leaves: and, for this blessed sight, happy and blest be faustus evermore! faustus. gentlemen, farewell: the same wish i to you. [exeunt scholars.] enter an old man. old man. o gentle faustus, leave this damned art, this magic, that will charm thy soul to hell, and quite bereave thee of salvation! though thou hast now offended like a man, do not persever in it like a devil: yet, yet thou hast an amiable soul, if sin by custom grow not into nature; then, faustus, will repentance come too late; then thou art banish'd from the sight of heaven: no mortal can express the pains of hell. it may be, this my exhortation seems harsh and all unpleasant: let it not; for, gentle son, i speak it not in wrath, or envy of thee, [ ] but in tender love, and pity of thy future misery; and so have hope that this my kind rebuke, checking thy body, may amend thy soul. faustus. where art thou, faustus? wretch, what hast thou done? hell claims his right, and with a roaring voice says, "faustus, come; thine hour is almost come;" and faustus now will come to do thee right. [mephistophilis gives him a dagger.] old man. o, stay, good faustus, stay thy desperate steps! i see an angel hover o'er thy head, and, with a vial full of precious grace, offers to pour the same into thy soul: then call for mercy, and avoid despair. faustus. o friend, i feel thy words to comfort my distressed soul! leave me a while to ponder on my sins. old man. faustus, i leave thee; but with grief of heart, fearing the enemy of thy hapless soul. [exit.] faustus. accursed faustus, wretch, what hast thou done? i do repent; and yet i do despair: hell strives with grace for conquest in my breast: what shall i do to shun the snares of death? mephist. thou traitor, faustus, i arrest thy soul for disobedience to my sovereign lord: revolt, or i'll in piece-meal tear thy flesh. faustus. i do repent i e'er offended him. sweet mephistophilis, entreat thy lord to pardon my unjust presumption, and with my blood again i will confirm the former vow i made to lucifer. mephist. [ ] do it, then, faustus, with unfeigned heart, lest greater dangers do attend thy drift. faustus. torment, sweet friend, that base and aged man, that durst dissuade me from thy lucifer, with greatest torments [ ] that our hell affords. mephist. his faith is great; i cannot touch his soul; but what i may afflict [ ] his body with i will attempt, which is but little worth. faustus. one thing, good servant, let me crave of thee, to glut the longing of my heart's desire,-- that i may have unto my paramour that heavenly helen which i saw of late, whose sweet embraces may extinguish clean [ ] those thoughts that do dissuade me from my vow, and keep my oath [ ] i made to lucifer. mephist. this, or what else my faustus shall desire, shall be perform'd in twinkling of an eye. re-enter helen, passing over the stage between two cupids. faustus. was this the face that launch'd a thousand ships, and burnt the topless towers of ilium?-- sweet helen, make me immortal with a kiss.-- [kisses her.] her lips suck forth my soul: see, where it flies!-- come, helen, come, give me my soul again. here will i dwell, for heaven is in these lips, and all is dross that is not helena. i will be paris, and for love of thee, instead of troy, shall wittenberg be sack'd; and i will combat with weak menelaus, and wear thy colours on my plumed crest; yea, i will wound achilles in the heel, and then return to helen for a kiss. o, thou art fairer than the evening [ ] air clad in the beauty of a thousand stars; brighter art thou than flaming jupiter when he appear'd to hapless semele; more lovely than the monarch of the sky in wanton arethusa's azur'd [ ] arms; and none but thou shalt [ ] be my paramour! [exeunt.] thunder. enter lucifer, belzebub, and mephistophilis. lucifer. thus from infernal dis do we ascend to view the subjects of our monarchy, those souls which sin seals the black sons of hell; 'mong which, as chief, faustus, we come to thee, bringing with us lasting damnation to wait upon thy soul: the time is come which makes it forfeit. mephist. and, this gloomy night, here, in this room, will wretched faustus be. belzebub. and here we'll stay, to mark him how he doth demean himself. mephist. how should he but in desperate lunacy? fond worldling, now his heart-blood dries with grief; his conscience kills it; and his [ ] labouring brain begets a world of idle fantasies to over-reach the devil; but all in vain; his store of pleasures must be sauc'd with pain. he and his servant wagner are at hand; both come from drawing faustus' latest will. see, where they come! enter faustus and wagner. faustus. say, wagner,--thou hast perus'd my will,-- how dost thou like it? wagner. sir, so wondrous well, as in all humble duty i do yield my life and lasting service for your love. faustus. gramercy, [ ] wagner. enter scholars. welcome, gentlemen. [exit wagner.] first scholar. now, worthy faustus, methinks your looks are chang'd. faustus. o, gentlemen! second scholar. what ails faustus? faustus. ah, my sweet chamber-fellow, had i lived with thee, then had i lived still! but now must die eternally. look, sirs, comes he not? comes he not? first scholar. o my dear faustus, what imports this fear? second scholar. is all our pleasure turn'd to melancholy? third scholar. he is not well with being over-solitary. second scholar. if it be so, we'll have physicians, and faustus shall be cur'd. third scholar. 'tis but a surfeit, sir; [ ] fear nothing. faustus. a surfeit of deadly [ ] sin, that hath damned both body and soul. second scholar. yet, faustus, look up to heaven, and remember mercy is infinite. faustus. but faustus' offence can ne'er be pardoned: the serpent that tempted eve may be saved, but not faustus. o gentlemen, hear me [ ] with patience, and tremble not at my speeches! though my heart pant and quiver to remember that i have been a student here these thirty years, o, would i had never [ ] seen wittenberg, never read book! and what wonders i have done, all germany can witness, yea, all the world; for which faustus hath lost both germany and the world, yea, heaven itself, heaven, the seat of god, the throne of the blessed, the kingdom of joy; and must remain in hell for ever, hell. o, hell, for ever! sweet friends, what shall become of faustus, being in hell for ever? second scholar. yet, faustus, call on god. faustus. on god, whom faustus hath abjured! on god, whom faustus hath blasphemed! o my god, i would weep! but the devil draws in my tears. gush forth blood, instead of tears! yea, life and soul! o, he stays my tongue! i would lift up my hands; but see, they hold 'em, they hold 'em? ('?' sic) all. who, faustus? faustus. why, lucifer and mephistophilis. o gentlemen, i gave them my soul for my cunning! all. o, god forbid! faustus. god forbade it, indeed; but faustus hath done it: for the vain pleasure of four-and-twenty years hath faustus lost eternal joy and felicity. i writ them a bill with mine own blood: the date is expired; this is the time, and he will fetch me. first scholar. why did not faustus tell us of this before, that divines might have prayed for thee? faustus. oft have i thought to have done so; but the devil threatened to tear me in pieces, if i named god, to fetch me body and soul, if i once gave ear to divinity: and now 'tis [ ] too late. gentlemen, away, lest you perish with me. second scholar. o, what may we do to save faustus? faustus. talk not of me, but save yourselves, and depart. third scholar. god will strengthen me; i will stay with faustus. first scholar. tempt not god, sweet friend; but let us into the next room, and pray for him. faustus. ay, pray for me, pray for me; and what noise soever you hear, come not unto me, for nothing can rescue me. second scholar. pray thou, and we will pray that god may have mercy upon thee. faustus. gentlemen, farewell: if i live till morning, i'll visit you; if not, faustus is gone to hell. all. faustus, farewell. [exeunt scholars.] mephist. ay, faustus, now thou hast no hope of heaven; therefore despair; think only upon hell, for that must be thy mansion, there to dwell. faustus. o thou bewitching fiend, 'twas thy temptation hath robb'd me of eternal happiness! mephist. i do confess it, faustus, and rejoice: 'twas i that, when thou wert i'the way to heaven, damm'd up thy passage; when thou took'st the book to view the scriptures, then i turn'd the leaves, and led thine eye. [ ] what, weep'st thou? 'tis too late; despair! farewell: fools that will laugh on earth must weep in hell. [exit.] [ ] enter good angel and evil angel at several doors. good angel. o faustus, if thou hadst given ear to me, innumerable joys had follow'd thee! but thou didst love the world. evil angel. gave ear to me, and now must taste hell-pains [ ] perpetually. good angel. o, what will all thy riches, pleasures, pomps, avail thee now? evil angel. nothing, but vex thee more, to want in hell, that had on earth such store. good angel. o, thou hast lost celestial happiness, pleasures unspeakable, bliss without end hadst thou affected sweet divinity, hell or the devil had had no power on thee: hadst thou kept on that way, faustus, behold, [music, while a throne descends.] in what resplendent glory thou hadst sit [ ] in yonder throne, like those bright-shining saints, and triumph'd over hell! that hast thou lost; and now, poor soul, must thy good angel leave thee: the jaws of hell are open [ ] to receive thee. [exit. the throne ascends.] evil angel. now, faustus, let thine eyes with horror stare [hell is discovered.] into that vast perpetual torture-house: there are the furies tossing damned souls on burning forks; there bodies boil [ ] in lead; there are live quarters broiling on the coals, that ne'er can die; this ever-burning chair is for o'er-tortur'd souls to rest them in; these that are fed with sops of flaming fire, were gluttons, and lov'd only delicates, and laugh'd to see the poor starve at their gates: but yet all these are nothing; thou shalt see ten thousand tortures that more horrid be. faustus. o, i have seen enough to torture me! evil angel. nay, thou must feel them, taste the smart of all: he that loves pleasure must for pleasure fall: and so i leave thee, faustus, till anon; then wilt thou tumble in confusion. [exit. hell disappears.--the clock strikes eleven.] faustus. o faustus, now hast thou but one bare hour to live, and then thou must be damn'd perpetually! stand still, you ever-moving spheres of heaven, that time may cease, and midnight never come; fair nature's eye, rise, rise again, and make perpetual day; or let this hour be but a year, a month, a week, a natural day, that faustus may repent and save his soul! o lente, lente currite, noctis equi! the stars move still, time runs, the clock will strike, the devil will come, and faustus must be damn'd. o, i'll leap up to heaven!--who pulls me down?-- see, where christ's blood streams in the firmament! [ ] one drop of blood will save me: o my christ!-- rend not my heart for naming of my christ; yet will i call on him: o, spare me, lucifer!-- where is it now? 'tis gone: and, see, a threatening arm, an [ ] angry brow! mountains and hills, come, come, and fall on me, and hide me from the heavy wrath of heaven! no! then will i headlong run into the earth: gape, earth! o, no, it will not harbour me! you stars that reign'd at my nativity, whose influence hath [ ] allotted death and hell, now draw up faustus, like a foggy mist, into the entrails of yon [ ] labouring cloud[s], that, when you [ ] vomit forth into the air, my limbs may issue from your smoky mouths; but let my soul mount and ascend to heaven! [the clock strikes the half-hour.] o, half the hour is past! 'twill all be past anon. o, if [ ] my soul must suffer for my sin, impose some end to my incessant pain; let faustus live in hell a thousand years, a hundred thousand, and at last [ ] be sav'd! no end is limited to damned souls. why wert thou not a creature wanting soul? or why is this immortal that thou hast? o, pythagoras' metempsychosis, were that true, this soul should fly from me, and i be chang'd into some brutish beast! all beasts are happy, for, when they die, their souls are soon dissolv'd in elements; but mine must live still to be plagu'd in hell. curs'd be the parents that engender'd me! no, faustus, curse thyself, curse lucifer that hath depriv'd thee of the joys of heaven. [the clock strikes twelve.] it strikes, it strikes! now, body, turn to air, or lucifer will bear thee quick to hell! o soul, be chang'd into small water-drops, and fall into the ocean, ne'er be found! thunder. enter devils. o, mercy, heaven! look not so fierce on me! adders and serpents, let me breathe a while! ugly hell, gape not! come not, lucifer! i'll burn my books!--o mephistophilis! [exeunt devils with faustus.] enter scholars. [ ] first scholar. come, gentlemen, let us go visit faustus, for such a dreadful night was never seen; since first the world's creation did begin, such fearful shrieks and cries were never heard: pray heaven the doctor have escap'd the danger. second scholar. o, help us, heaven! [ ] see, here are faustus' limbs, all torn asunder by the hand of death! third scholar. the devils whom faustus serv'd have [ ] torn him thus; for, twixt the hours of twelve and one, methought, i heard him shriek and call aloud for help; at which self [ ] time the house seem'd all on fire with dreadful horror of these damned fiends. second scholar. well, gentlemen, though faustus' end be such as every christian heart laments to think on, yet, for he was a scholar once admir'd for wondrous knowledge in our german schools, we'll give his mangled limbs due burial; and all the students, cloth'd in mourning black, shall wait upon his heavy funeral. [exeunt.] enter chorus. chorus. cut is the branch that might have grown full straight, and burned is apollo's laurel-bough, that sometime grew within this learned man. faustus is gone: regard his hellish fall, whose fiendful fortune may exhort the wise, only to wonder at unlawful things, whose deepness doth entice such forward wits to practise more than heavenly power permits. [exit.] terminat hora diem; terminat auctor opus. footnotes: [footnote : carthagens: so tos , , (and compare to , p. ).-- to "carthagen." p. . (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "where mars did mate the carthaginians;" ] [footnote : her: old eds. "his."] [footnote : of: so to .-- tos , , "and."] [footnote : upon: so to .-- tos , , "on the."] [footnote : thousand: so to .-- tos , , "diuers."] [footnote : them: so to .-- tos , , "men."] [footnote : legatur: old eds. "legatus."] [footnote : petty: i may notice that to has "pretty," which is perhaps the right reading.] [footnote : &c.: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : circles, scenes, letters, and characters: so to (see note Â�Â�, p. ).--the later tos "circles, letters, characters." note Â�Â�, from p. . (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "scenes: "and sooner may a gulling weather-spie by drawing forth heavens sceanes tell certainly," &c. donne's first satyre,--p. , ed. ." ] [footnote : gain: so tos , (and so to ).-- to "get."] [footnote : these: see note §, p. . note §, from p. . (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "these elements: so again, "within the bowels of these elements," &c., on p. , first col,--"these" being equivalent to the. (not unfrequently in our old writers these is little more than redundant.)" ] [footnote : enterprise: so to .-- tos , , "enterprises."] [footnote : make swift rhine circle fair: so to .-- tos , , "with swift rhine circle all."] [footnote : silk: old eds. "skill."] [footnote : blest: so to .-- tos , , "wise."] [footnote : swarm: so tos , .-- to "sworne."] [footnote : to: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : have: so tos , .-- to "has."] [footnote : shall they: so to .-- tos , , "they shall."] [footnote : huge: so to .-- tos , , "whole."] [footnote : stuffs: so tos , .-- to "stuff'd."] [footnote : renowm'd: so to (see note ||, p. ).-- tos , , "renown'd." note ||, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "renowmed: i.e. renowned.--so the vo.--the to "renowned." --the form "renowmed" (fr. renomme) occurs repeatedly afterwards in this play, according to the vo. it is occasionally found in writers posterior to marlowe's time. e.g. "of constantines great towne renoum'd in vaine." verses to king james, prefixed to lord stirling's monarchicke tragedies, ed. ." ] [footnote : albertus': old eds. "albanus."] [footnote : that: so tos , .-- to "the."] [footnote : him: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : enter faustus: old eds. "thunder. enter lucifer and deuils, faustus to them with this speech,"--wrongly.] [footnote : her: so to .-- tos , , "his."] [footnote : erring: so tos , .-- to "euening."] [footnote : mephistophilis dragon, quod tumeraris: see note *, p. . note *, from p. . (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "surgat mephistophilis, quod tumeraris: the later tos have "surgat mephistophilis dragon, quod tumeraris."--there is a corruption here, which seems to defy emendation. for "quod tumeraris," mr. j. crossley, of manchester, would read (rejecting the word "dragon") "quod tu mandares" (the construction being "quod tu mandares ut mephistophilis appareat et surgat"): but the "tu" does not agree with the preceding "vos."--the revd. j. mitford proposes "surgat mephistophilis, per dragon (or dagon) quod numen est aeris."" ] [footnote : dicatus: so tos , .-- to "dicatis."] [footnote : came hither: so tos , .-- to "came now hether."] [footnote : speeches: so to .--not in the later tos.] [footnote : accidens: so tos , .-- to "accident."] [footnote : fell: so to .--the later tos "liue."] [footnote : strike: so to .-- tos , , "strikes."] [footnote : thorough: so to .-- tos , , "through."] [footnote : sirrah: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : save: so tos , .-- to "spare."] [footnote : again: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : or: old eds. "for."] [footnote : vestigiis nostris: old eds. "vestigias nostras."] [footnote : backward: so to (and so to ).-- tos , , "backe."] [footnote : why: so to (and so to ).--not in tos , .] [footnote : that famous: so to .-- tos , , "that most famous."] [footnote : of: so to .-- tos , , "be."] [footnote : men: so tos , (and so to ).-- to "them."] [footnote : mephistophile: so to .-- tos , , "mephostophilis."] [footnote : thee: so to .--the later tos "him."] [footnote : thine: so tos , .-- to "thy."] [footnote : and: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : my: so to .-- tos , , "thy."] [footnote : is it: so to .-- tos , , "it is."] [footnote : soul: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : an: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : should: so tos , .-- to "shall."] [footnote : god: so to .--the later tos "heauen."] [footnote : this scroll: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : he desires: not in the tos. see note Â�, p. . note Â�, from p. . (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "he desires: not in any of the four tos. in the tract just cited, i.e. the history of doctor faustus, ed. . the " d article" stands thus,--"that mephostophiles should bring him any thing, and doe for him whatsoever." sig. a , ed. . a later ed. adds "he desired." marlowe, no doubt, followed some edition of the history in which these words, or something equivalent to them, had been omitted by mistake. ( to , which i consider as of no authority, has "he requireth.")" ] [footnote : and: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : with: so to .--not in the later tos.] [footnote : the: so to .-- tos , , "that."] [footnote : are: so tos , .-- to "is."] [footnote : hell's a fable: so to .-- tos , , "hell's a meere fable."] [footnote : thine: so tos , .-- to "thy."] [footnote : thy: so tos , .-- to "thine."] [footnote : was: so to .-- tos , , "were."] [footnote : harness: i.e. armour.] [footnote : this will i keep as chary as my life. [exeunt.: enter faustus, in his study, and mephistophilis. faustus. when i behold the heavens, &c.: old eds. (that is, tos , , ) thus; "this will i keepe, as chary as my life. [exeunt.: enter wagner solus. wagner. learned faustus to know the secrets of astronomy grauen in the booke of joues high firmament, did mount himselfe to scale olympus top, being seated in a chariot burning bright, drawne by the strength of yoaky [ to "yoaked": dragons necks, he now is gone to proue cosmography, and as i gesse will first arriue at rome, to see the pope and manner of his court; and take some part of holy peters feast, that to [ tos , , "on": this day is highly solemnized. exit wagner. enter faustus in his study, and mephistophilis. faustus. when i behold the heauens," &c. the lines which i have here omitted belong to a subsequent part of the play, where they will be found with considerable additions, and are rightly assigned to the chorus. (as given in the present place by the tos , , , these lines exhibit the text of the earlier faustus; see p. , sec. col.) it would seem that something was intended to intervene here between the exit of faustus and mephistophilis, and their re-appearance on the stage: compare, however, the preceding play, p. , first col. p. , sec. col. (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "faustus. great thanks, mighty lucifer! this will i keep as chary as my life. lucifer. farewell, faustus, and think on the devil. faustus. farewell, great lucifer. [exeunt lucifer and belzebub.: come, mephistophilis. [exeunt.: enter chorus. chorus. learned faustus, to know the secrets of astronomy graven in the book of jove's high firmament, did mount himself to scale olympus' top, being seated in a chariot burning bright, drawn by the strength of yoky dragons' necks. he now is gone to prove cosmography, and, as i guess, will first arrive at rome, to see the pope and manner of his court, and take some part of holy peter's feast, that to this day is highly solemniz'd. [exit.: enter faustus and mephistophilis. faustus. having now, my good mephistophilis, pass'd with delight the stately town of trier," etc. p. , first col. (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): this part of the play does not have any relevance to characters leaving the stage and re-entering. perhaps the editor meant p. , first column. p. , first col. (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "ralph. o, brave, robin! shall i have nan spit, and to mine own use? on that condition i'll feed thy devil with horse- bread as long as he lives, of free cost. robin. no more, sweet ralph: let's go and make clean our boots, which lie foul upon our hands, and then to our conjuring in the devil's name. [exeunt.: enter robin and ralph with a silver goblet. robin. come, ralph: did not i tell thee, we were for ever made by this doctor faustus' book? ecce, signum! here's a simple purchase for horse-keepers: our horses shall eat no hay as long as this lasts. ralph. but, robin, here comes the vintner." ] [footnote : thine: so tos , .-- to "thy."] [footnote : is: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : breathes: so tos , .-- to "breathe."] [footnote : ears: so tos , .-- to "eare."] [footnote : this i: so tos , .-- to "this time i."] [footnote : termine: i may notice that to (see p. , sec. col.) has "terminine," which at least is better for the metre. p. , second column, (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "whose terminine is term'd the world's wide pole;" ] [footnote : erring: so to .--the later tos "euening."] [footnote : motion: so tos , .-- to "motions."] [footnote : ay: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : and: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : the: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : lips: so to .--not in the later tos.] [footnote : and ever since have run: so to .-- tos , , "and haue euer since run."] [footnote : this: so to .--the later tos "these."] [footnote : come: so to .-- tos , , "came."] [footnote : i: so tos , .-- to "i i."] [footnote : l: old eds. "lechery." see note Â�, p. . note Â�, from p. . (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "l.: all the tos "lechery."--here i have made the alteration recommended by mr. collier in his preface to coleridge's seven lectures on shakespeare and milton, p. cviii." ] [footnote : tut: so to .--the later tos "but."] [footnote : robin: old eds. "the clowne" (and so frequently afterwards): but he is evidently a distinct person from the "clown," wagner's attendant, who has previously appeared (see p. ). most probably the parts of the clown and robin were played by the same actor; and hence the confusion in the old eds. p. . (this play): "enter wagner and clown. wagner. come hither, sirrah boy." etc. ] [footnote : faith: so to .-- tos , "i'faith." (and so afterwards in this scene.)] [footnote : not tell: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : as fair a: so to .-- tos , , "a faire."] [footnote : need'st: so tos , .-- to "needs."] [footnote : hold, belly, hold: compare florio's dict., ; "iosa, good store, hold-bellie-hold."] [footnote : prithee: so to .-- tos , , "i prithee."] [footnote : him: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : he views: so to .-- tos , , "to view."] [footnote : with this: so tos , .-- to "with his." this passage is sufficiently obscure.] [footnote : round: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : rhine: so tos , .-- to "rhines."] [footnote : up to: so to .-- tos , , "vnto."] [footnote : quarter the town in four equivalents: so to .--not in the later tos.] [footnote : thorough: so to .-- tos , , "through."] [footnote : rest: so to .--the later tos "east."] [footnote : me: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : us: so to .-- tos , , "you."] [footnote : through: so tos , .-- to "thorow."] [footnote : ponte: old eds. "ponto."] [footnote : match: so tos , .-- to "watch."] [footnote : the: so to .-- tos , , "those."] [footnote : in state and: so tos , .-- to "this day with."] [footnote : whilst: so to .-- tos , , "while."] [footnote : thorough: so to .-- tos , , "through."] [footnote : my: qy. "one"?] [footnote : cunning: so tos , .-- to "comming." (and so in the fourth line of the next speech.)] [footnote : this: so to .-- tos , , "his."] [footnote : at: so to .-- tos , , "to."] [footnote : it: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : and smite with death thy hated enterprise: so to . --not in tos , .] [footnote : our: so to .-- tos , , "the."] [footnote : this: so to .-- tos , , "the."] [footnote : have right: so tos , .-- to "haue some right."] [footnote : shall: so tos , .-- to "shalt."] [footnote : hath: so tos , .-- to "haue."] [footnote : synod: qy. "holy synod"?] [footnote : ponte: old eds. "ponto."] [footnote : his: so to .-- tos , , "this."] [footnote : sennet: old eds. "senit" and "sonet". see note ||, p. . note ||, from p. . (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "sonnet: variously written, sennet, signet, signate, &c.--a particular set of notes on the trumpet, or cornet, different from a flourish. see nares's gloss. in v. sennet." ] [footnote : be: so tos , .-- to "are."] [footnote : them to: so to .-- tos , , "them forth to."] [footnote : archbishop.: old eds. "bish." and "bishop" (and so afterwards).] [footnote : you: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : beholding: so to (see note Â�, p. ).-- tos , , "beholden." note Â�, from p. . (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "beholding: i.e. beholden." ] [footnote : such: so tos , .-- to "this."] [footnote : it: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : his: so tos , .-- to "this."] [footnote : struck: here the old eds. have "stroke" and "strooke:" but in the next clause they all agree in having "strucke."] [footnote : on: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : same: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : at the hard heels: the modern editors, ignorant of the old phraseology, thought that they corrected this passage in printing "hard at the heels."] [footnote : vintner: so all the old eds.; and presently robin addresses this person as "vintner:" yet dick has just spoken of him as "the vintner's boy." see note ||, p. . note ||, from p. . (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "drawer: there is an inconsistency here: the vintner cannot properly be addressed as "drawer." the later tos are also inconsistent in the corresponding passage: dick says, "the vintner's boy follows us at the hard heels," and immediately the "vintner" enters." ] [footnote : your: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : much: equivalent to--by no means, not at all. this ironical exclamation is very common in our old dramatists. (mr. hunter, --new illust. of shakespeare, ii. ,--explains it very differently.)] [footnote : by lady: i.e. by our lady.] [footnote : to: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : tester: i.e. sixpence.] [footnote : the state: i.e. the raised chair or throne, with a canopy.] [footnote : perfect: so tos , .-- to "warlike."] [footnote : rouse: i.e. bumper.] [footnote : a: so to .-- tos , , "ten."] [footnote : a: so tos , .-- to "the."] [footnote : renowm'd: old eds. "renown'd"; but earlier, p. , first col., to has "renowm'd": see note and see note ||, p. . note ||, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "renowmed: i.e. renowned.--so the vo.--the to "renowned." --the form "renowmed" (fr. renomme) occurs repeatedly afterwards in this play, according to the vo. it is occasionally found in writers posterior to marlowe's time. e.g. "of constantines great towne renoum'd in vaine." verses to king james, prefixed to lord stirling's monarchicke tragedies, ed. ." ] [footnote : through: so tos , .-- to "thorow."] [footnote : these: so to .-- tos , , "those."] [footnote : through: so tos , .-- to "thorow."] [footnote : a: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : this: so to .-- tos , , "the."] [footnote : demand: so tos , .-- to "demands."] [footnote : door: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : state: see note §, p. . i.e. note --so tos , .-- to "seat."] [footnote : these: so to .-- tos , , "they."] [footnote : renowmed: old eds. "renowned." see note Â�, p. . i.e. note ] [footnote : thoughts: so tos , .-- to "thought."] [footnote : whilst: so to .-- tos , , "while."] [footnote : i gain'd: so tos , .-- to "i had gain'd."] [footnote : at window: so to .-- tos , , "at the window."] [footnote : is: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : this is: so to (and rightly, as the next line proves).-- tos , , "is this."] [footnote : as: so to .-- to "that."-- to "and."] [footnote : belimoth....asteroth: old eds. here "belimote (and "belimot") ....asterote": but see p. , first col. p. . (this play): "but wherefore do i dally my revenge?-- asteroth, belimoth, mephistophilis?" ] [footnote : has: so to .-- tos , , "hath."] [footnote : horns: so tos , .-- to "horne."] [footnote : sir: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : of: i.e. on.] [footnote : sway: so tos , .-- to "stay."] [footnote : this attempt against the conjurer: see note, * p. . note *, from p. . (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "mephistophilis, transform him straight: according to the history of dr. faustus, the knight was not present during faustus's "conference" with the emperor; nor did he offer the doctor any insult by doubting his skill in magic. we are there told that faustus happening to see the knight asleep, "leaning out of a window of the great hall," fixed a huge pair of hart's horns on his head; "and, as the knight awaked, thinking to pull in his head, he hit his hornes against the glasse, that the panes thereof flew about his eares: thinke here how this good gentleman was vexed, for he could neither get backward nor forward." after the emperor and the courtiers, to their great amusement, had beheld the poor knight in this condition, faustus removed the horns. when faustus, having taken leave of the emperor, was a league and a half from the city, he was attacked in a wood by the knight and some of his companions: they were in armour, and mounted on fair palfreys; but the doctor quickly overcame them by turning all the bushes into horsemen, and "so charmed them, that every one, knight and other, for the space of a whole moneth, did weare a paire of goates hornes on their browes, and every palfry a paire of oxe hornes on his head; and this was their penance appointed by faustus." a second attempt of the knight to revenge himself on faustus proved equally unsuccessful. sigs. g , i , ed. ." ] [footnote : that: so to .-- tos , , "the."] [footnote : my: so to .-- tos , , "thy."] [footnote : that: so to .-- tos , , "the."] [footnote : an: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : boldly: so to .-- tos , , "brauely."] [footnote : heart's: so tos , .-- to "heart."] [footnote : that: so to .-- tos , , "the."] [footnote : the: so to .-- tos , , "that."] [footnote : now: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : art: old eds. "heart" (which, after all, may be right).] [footnote : there: so tos , .-- to "here."] [footnote : his: so tos , .--not in to sic .] [footnote : pull: so tos , .-- to "put."] [footnote : all: old eds. "call."] [footnote : through: so tos , .-- to "thorow."] [footnote : amongst: so to .-- tos , , "among."] [footnote : enter the ambushed soldiers: here (though it seems that faustus does not quit the stage) a change of scene is supposed.] [footnote : these: so to .-- tos , , "the."] [footnote : the door: i.e. the stage-door,--the writer here addressing himself to the actor only, for the scene lies in a wood.] [footnote : zounds: so tos , .-- to , "zons."] [footnote : all are: so to .-- tos , , "are all."] [footnote : these: so tos , .-- to "this."] [footnote : escape: so tos , .-- to "scape."] [footnote : has: so tos , .-- to "hath."] [footnote : you: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : guess: a corruption of guests (very frequent in our early dramatists) which occurs again at p. . first col. so to .-- tos , , "guests." see note . ] [footnote : thou: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : now: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : sir: qy. "sirs"? but see the next speech of the carter, and the next speech but one of the horse-courser, who, in his narrative, uses both "sirs" and "sir."] [footnote : as i was going to wittenberg, t'other day, &c.: see the history of doctor faustus, chap. xxxv,--"how doctor faustus eat a load of hay."--the carter does not appear in the earlier play.] [footnote : my: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : cursen: i.e. christened.] [footnote : some quality: so to .-- tos , , "some rare quality."] [footnote : rid: so to .-- tos , , "ride."] [footnote : that enchanted castle in the air: this is not mentioned in the earlier play: but see the history of doctor faustus, chap xl, --"how doctor faustus through his charmes made a great castle in presence of the duke of anholt."] [footnote : delighted: so to .-- tos , , "delighteth."] [footnote : it pleaseth: so to .-- tos , , "it hath pleased."] [footnote : come: so to .-- tos , , "came."] [footnote : these ripe grapes: so to .-- tos , , "these grapes."] [footnote : the clowns bounce, &c: to "the clowne bounce." tos , , "the clowne bounceth." (in the next stage-direction all the tos have "they knock again," &c.)] [footnote : for: so to .-- tos , , "to."] [footnote : pardons: so tos , .-- to "pardon."] [footnote : me: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : spake: so tos , .-- to "spoke."] [footnote : dost hear him: so to .-- to "dost thou heare me." to "dost thou heare him."] [footnote : him: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : you: so tos , .--not in to (but compare the carter's next speech).] [footnote : i: so to .--not in tos , .] [footnote : not i: so tos , .-- to "i not."] [footnote : ha': so to .-- tos , , "haue."] [footnote : guess: see note §, p. . i.e. note so to . -- tos , , "guests."] [footnote : beholding: so tos , , (see note Â�, p. ).-- to "beholden." note Â�, from p. . (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "beholding: i.e. beholden." ] [footnote : sport: so to .-- tos , , "sports." [footnote : i think my master, &c.: the alterations which this speech has undergone will hardly admit of its arrangement as verse: compare the earlier play, p. , first col. p. , first col. (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "enter wagner. wagner. i think my master means to die shortly, for he hath given to me all his goods: and yet, methinks, if that death were near, he would not banquet, and carouse, and swill amongst the students, as even now he doth, who are at supper with such belly-cheer as wagner ne'er beheld in all his life. see, where they come! belike the feast is ended. [exit.:" ] [footnote : goods: so tos , .-- to "good."] [footnote : ne'er: so to .-- tos , , "neuer."] [footnote : ended: so tos , , (and so to ).-- to "done."] [footnote : war: old eds. "warres."] [footnote : wit: so tos , .-- to "will."] [footnote : or envy of thee: so to .-- tos , , "or of enuie to thee."] [footnote : mephist.: this and the next prefix are omitted in the old eds.] [footnote : torments: so tos , (and so to ).-- to "torment."] [footnote : i may afflict: so to .-- to "i afflict."-- to "i can afflict."] [footnote : clean: so to .--the later tos "clear."] [footnote : oath: so to .--the later tos "vow."] [footnote : evening: so to .--the later tos "euenings."] [footnote : azur'd: so to (a reading which i prefer only because it is also that of to .)-- tos , , "azure."] [footnote : shalt: see note *, p. .] note *, from p. . (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "shalt: so all the tos; and so i believe marlowe wrote, though the grammar requires "shall."" ] [footnote : his: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : gramercy: so tos , .-- to "gramercies."] [footnote : sir: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : of deadly: so to .-- tos , , "of a deadly."] [footnote : me: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : never: so to .-- tos , , "nere."] [footnote : 'tis: so to .-- tos , , "it is."] [footnote : and led thine eye: a portion of this line has evidently dropt out.] [footnote : exit: it seems doubtful whether lucifer and belzebub should also make their exeunt here, or whether they remain to witness the catastrophe: see p. , first col. p. , first column. (this play): "mephist. and, this gloomy night, here, in this room, will wretched faustus be. belzebub. and here we'll stay, to mark him how he doth demean himself." etc. ] [footnote : hell-pains: so tos , .-- to "hels paines."] [footnote : sit: so tos , .-- to "set."] [footnote : are open: so to .-- tos , , "is readie."] [footnote : boil: so tos , .-- to "broyle."] [footnote : see, where christ's blood streams in the firmament: so tos , .--not in to .] [footnote : an: so to .-- tos , , "and."] [footnote : hath: so to .-- tos , , "haue."] [footnote : yon: so to .-- tos , , "your."] [footnote : you, &c.: see note *, p. .] note *, from p. . (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "that, when you, &c.: so all the old eds.; and it is certain that awkward changes of person are sometimes found in passages of our early poets: but qy.,-- "that, when they vomit forth into the air, my limbs may issue from their smoky mouths," &c.?" ] [footnote : , if, &c.: to , in the corresponding passage, has "oh, god, if," &c. (see p. , sec. col.), and that reading seems necessary for the sense. p. , sec. col. (doctor faustus, from the quarto of ): "ah, half the hour is past! 'twill all be past anon o god, if thou wilt not have mercy on my soul, yet for christ's sake, whose blood hath ransom'd me, impose some end to my incessant pain;" etc. ] [footnote : at last: so to .-- tos , , "at the last."] [footnote : enter scholars: here, of course, a change of scene is supposed. (this is not in the earlier play.)] [footnote : heaven: so to .-- tos , , "heauens."] [footnote : devils.... have: so to .-- tos , , "diuell.... hath."] [footnote : self: so to .-- tos , , "same."] the jew of malta. by christopher marlowe edited by the rev. alexander dyce. the famous tragedy of the rich iew of malta. as it was playd before the king and qveene, in his majesties theatre at white-hall, by her majesties servants at the cock-pit. written by christopher marlo. london; printed by i. b. for nicholas vavasour, and are to be sold at his shop in the inner-temple, neere the church. . to. to my worthy friend, master thomas hammon, of gray's inn, etc. this play, composed by so worthy an author as master marlowe, and the part of the jew presented by so unimitable an actor as master alleyn, being in this later age commended to the stage; as i ushered it unto the court, and presented it to the cock-pit, with these prologues and epilogues here inserted, so now being newly brought to the press, i was loath it should be published without the ornament of an epistle; making choice of you unto whom to devote it; than whom (of all those gentlemen and acquaintance within the compass of my long knowledge) there is none more able to tax ignorance, or attribute right to merit. sir, you have been pleased to grace some of mine own works [ ] with your courteous patronage: i hope this will not be the worse accepted, because commended by me; over whom none can claim more power or privilege than yourself. i had no better a new-year's gift to present you with; receive it therefore as a continuance of that inviolable obligement, by which he rests still engaged, who, as he ever hath, shall always remain, tuissimus, tho. heywood. [ ] the prologue spoken at court. gracious and great, that we so boldly dare ('mongst other plays that now in fashion are) to present this, writ many years agone, and in that age thought second unto none, we humbly crave your pardon. we pursue the story of a rich and famous jew who liv'd in malta: you shall find him still, in all his projects, a sound machiavill; and that's his character. he that hath past so many censures [ ] is now come at last to have your princely ears: grace you him; then you crown the action, and renown the pen. epilogue spoken at court. it is our fear, dread sovereign, we have bin [ ] too tedious; neither can't be less than sin to wrong your princely patience: if we have, thus low dejected, we your pardon crave; and, if aught here offend your ear or sight, we only act and speak what others write. the prologue to the stage, at the cock-pit. we know not how our play may pass this stage, but by the best of poets [ ] in that age the malta-jew had being and was made; and he then by the best of actors [ ] play'd: in hero and leander [ ] one did gain a lasting memory; in tamburlaine, this jew, with others many, th' other wan the attribute of peerless, being a man whom we may rank with (doing no one wrong) proteus for shapes, and roscius for a tongue,-- so could he speak, so vary; nor is't hate to merit in him [ ] who doth personate our jew this day; nor is it his ambition to exceed or equal, being of condition more modest: this is all that he intends, (and that too at the urgence of some friends,) to prove his best, and, if none here gainsay it, the part he hath studied, and intends to play it. epilogue to the stage, at the cock-pit. in graving with pygmalion to contend, or painting with apelles, doubtless the end must be disgrace: our actor did not so,-- he only aim'd to go, but not out-go. nor think that this day any prize was play'd; [ ] here were no bets at all, no wagers laid: [ ] all the ambition that his mind doth swell, is but to hear from you (by me) 'twas well. dramatis personae. ferneze, governor of malta. lodowick, his son. selim calymath, son to the grand seignior. martin del bosco, vice-admiral of spain. mathias, a gentleman. jacomo, | barnardine, | friars. barabas, a wealthy jew. ithamore, a slave. pilia-borza, a bully, attendant to bellamira. two merchants. three jews. knights, bassoes, officers, guard, slaves, messenger, and carpenters katharine, mother to mathias. abigail, daughter to barabas. bellamira, a courtezan. abbess. nun. machiavel as prologue speaker. scene, malta. the jew of malta. enter machiavel. machiavel. albeit the world think machiavel is dead, yet was his soul but flown beyond the alps; and, now the guise [ ] is dead, is come from france, to view this land, and frolic with his friends. to some perhaps my name is odious; but such as love me, guard me from their tongues, and let them know that i am machiavel, and weigh not men, and therefore not men's words. admir'd i am of those that hate me most: though some speak openly against my books, yet will they read me, and thereby attain to peter's chair; and, when they cast me off, are poison'd by my climbing followers. i count religion but a childish toy, and hold there is no sin but ignorance. birds of the air will tell of murders past! i am asham'd to hear such fooleries. many will talk of title to a crown: what right had caesar to the empery? [ ] might first made kings, and laws were then most sure when, like the draco's, [ ] they were writ in blood. hence comes it that a strong-built citadel commands much more than letters can import: which maxim had [ ] phalaris observ'd, h'ad never bellow'd, in a brazen bull, of great ones' envy: o' the poor petty wights let me be envied and not pitied. but whither am i bound? i come not, i, to read a lecture here [ ] in britain, but to present the tragedy of a jew, who smiles to see how full his bags are cramm'd; which money was not got without my means. i crave but this,--grace him as he deserves, and let him not be entertain'd the worse because he favours me. [exit.] act i. [ ] barabas discovered in his counting-house, with heaps of gold before him. barabas. so that of thus much that return was made; and of the third part of the persian ships there was the venture summ'd and satisfied. as for those samnites, [ ] and the men of uz, that bought my spanish oils and wines of greece, here have i purs'd their paltry silverlings. [ ] fie, what a trouble 'tis to count this trash! well fare the arabians, who so richly pay the things they traffic for with wedge of gold, whereof a man may easily in a day tell [ ] that which may maintain him all his life. the needy groom, that never finger'd groat, would make a miracle of thus much coin; but he whose steel-barr'd coffers are cramm'd full, and all his life-time hath been tired, wearying his fingers' ends with telling it, would in his age be loath to labour so, and for a pound to sweat himself to death. give me the merchants of the indian mines, that trade in metal of the purest mould; the wealthy moor, that in the eastern rocks without control can pick his riches up, and in his house heap pearl like pebble-stones, receive them free, and sell them by the weight; bags of fiery opals, sapphires, amethysts, jacinths, hard topaz, grass-green emeralds, beauteous rubies, sparkling diamonds, and seld-seen [ ] costly stones of so great price, as one of them, indifferently rated, and of a carat of this quantity, may serve, in peril of calamity, to ransom great kings from captivity. this is the ware wherein consists my wealth; and thus methinks should men of judgment frame their means of traffic from the vulgar trade, and, as their wealth increaseth, so inclose infinite riches in a little room. but now how stands the wind? into what corner peers my halcyon's bill? [ ] ha! to the east? yes. see how stand the vanes-- east and by south: why, then, i hope my ships i sent for egypt and the bordering isles are gotten up by nilus' winding banks; mine argosy from alexandria, loaden with spice and silks, now under sail, are smoothly gliding down by candy-shore to malta, through our mediterranean sea.-- but who comes here? enter a merchant. how now! merchant. barabas, thy ships are safe, riding in malta-road; and all the merchants with other merchandise are safe arriv'd, and have sent me to know whether yourself will come and custom them. [ ] barabas. the ships are safe thou say'st, and richly fraught? merchant. they are. barabas. why, then, go bid them come ashore, and bring with them their bills of entry: i hope our credit in the custom-house will serve as well as i were present there. go send 'em threescore camels, thirty mules, and twenty waggons, to bring up the ware. but art thou master in a ship of mine, and is thy credit not enough for that? merchant. the very custom barely comes to more than many merchants of the town are worth, and therefore far exceeds my credit, sir. barabas. go tell 'em the jew of malta sent thee, man: tush, who amongst 'em knows not barabas? merchant. i go. barabas. so, then, there's somewhat come.-- sirrah, which of my ships art thou master of? merchant. of the speranza, sir. barabas. and saw'st thou not mine argosy at alexandria? thou couldst not come from egypt, or by caire, but at the entry there into the sea, where nilus pays his tribute to the main, thou needs must sail by alexandria. merchant. i neither saw them, nor inquir'd of them: but this we heard some of our seamen say, they wonder'd how you durst with so much wealth trust such a crazed vessel, and so far. barabas. tush, they are wise! i know her and her strength. but [ ] go, go thou thy ways, discharge thy ship, and bid my factor bring his loading in. [exit merchant.] and yet i wonder at this argosy. enter a second merchant. second merchant. thine argosy from alexandria, know, barabas, doth ride in malta-road, laden with riches, and exceeding store of persian silks, of gold, and orient pearl. barabas. how chance you came not with those other ships that sail'd by egypt? second merchant. sir, we saw 'em not. barabas. belike they coasted round by candy-shore about their oils or other businesses. but 'twas ill done of you to come so far without the aid or conduct of their ships. second merchant. sir, we were wafted by a spanish fleet, that never left us till within a league, that had the galleys of the turk in chase. barabas. o, they were going up to sicily. well, go, and bid the merchants and my men despatch, and come ashore, and see the fraught [ ] discharg'd. second merchant. i go. [exit.] barabas. thus trolls our fortune in by land and sea, and thus are we on every side enrich'd: these are the blessings promis'd to the jews, and herein was old abraham's happiness: what more may heaven do for earthly man than thus to pour out plenty in their laps, ripping the bowels of the earth for them, making the sea[s] their servants, and the winds to drive their substance with successful blasts? who hateth me but for my happiness? or who is honour'd now but for his wealth? rather had i, a jew, be hated thus, than pitied in a christian poverty; for i can see no fruits in all their faith, but malice, falsehood, and excessive pride, which methinks fits not their profession. haply some hapless man hath conscience, and for his conscience lives in beggary. they say we are a scatter'd nation: i cannot tell; but we have scambled [ ] up more wealth by far than those that brag of faith: there's kirriah jairim, the great jew of greece, obed in bairseth, nones in portugal, myself in malta, some in italy, many in france, and wealthy every one; ay, wealthier far than any christian. i must confess we come not to be kings: that's not our fault: alas, our number's few! and crowns come either by succession, or urg'd by force; and nothing violent, oft have i heard tell, can be permanent. give us a peaceful rule; make christians kings, that thirst so much for principality. i have no charge, nor many children, but one sole daughter, whom i hold as dear as agamemnon did his iphigen; and all i have is hers.--but who comes here? enter three jews. [ ] first jew. tush, tell not me; 'twas done of policy. second jew. come, therefore, let us go to barabas; for he can counsel best in these affairs: and here he comes. barabas. why, how now, countrymen! why flock you thus to me in multitudes? what accident's betided to the jews? first jew. a fleet of warlike galleys, barabas, are come from turkey, and lie in our road: and they this day sit in the council-house to entertain them and their embassy. barabas. why, let 'em come, so they come not to war; or let 'em war, so we be conquerors.-- nay, let 'em combat, conquer, and kill all, so they spare me, my daughter, and my wealth. [aside.] first jew. were it for confirmation of a league, they would not come in warlike manner thus. second jew. i fear their coming will afflict us all. barabas. fond [ ] men, what dream you of their multitudes? what need they treat of peace that are in league? the turks and those of malta are in league: tut, tut, there is some other matter in't. first jew. why, barabas, they come for peace or war. barabas. haply for neither, but to pass along, towards venice, by the adriatic sea, with whom they have attempted many times, but never could effect their stratagem. third jew. and very wisely said; it may be so. second jew. but there's a meeting in the senate-house, and all the jews in malta must be there. barabas. hum,--all the jews in malta must be there! ay, like enough: why, then, let every man provide him, and be there for fashion-sake. if any thing shall there concern our state, assure yourselves i'll look--unto myself. [aside.] [ ] first jew. i know you will.--well, brethren, let us go. second jew. let's take our leaves.--farewell, good barabas. barabas. [ ] farewell, zaareth; farewell, temainte. [exeunt jews.] and, barabas, now search this secret out; summon thy senses, call thy wits together: these silly men mistake the matter clean. long to the turk did malta contribute; which tribute all in policy, i fear, the turk has [ ] let increase to such a sum as all the wealth of malta cannot pay; and now by that advantage thinks, belike, to seize upon the town; ay, that he seeks. howe'er the world go, i'll make sure for one, and seek in time to intercept the worst, warily guarding that which i ha' got: ego mihimet sum semper proximus: [ ] why, let 'em enter, let 'em take the town. [exit.] [ ] enter ferneze governor of malta, knights, and officers; met by calymath, and bassoes of the turk. ferneze. now, bassoes, [ ] what demand you at our hands? first basso. know, knights of malta, that we came from rhodes, ]from cyprus, candy, and those other isles that lie betwixt the mediterranean seas. ferneze. what's cyprus, candy, and those other isles to us or malta? what at our hands demand ye? calymath. the ten years' tribute that remains unpaid. ferneze. alas, my lord, the sum is over-great! i hope your highness will consider us. calymath. i wish, grave governor, [ ] 'twere in my power to favour you; but 'tis my father's cause, wherein i may not, nay, i dare not dally. ferneze. then give us leave, great selim calymath. calymath. stand all aside, [ ] and let the knights determine; and send to keep our galleys under sail, for happily [ ] we shall not tarry here.-- now, governor, how are you resolv'd? ferneze. thus; since your hard conditions are such that you will needs have ten years' tribute past, we may have time to make collection amongst the inhabitants of malta for't. first basso. that's more than is in our commission. calymath. what, callapine! a little courtesy: let's know their time; perhaps it is not long; and 'tis more kingly to obtain by peace than to enforce conditions by constraint.-- what respite ask you, governor? ferneze. but a month. calymath. we grant a month; but see you keep your promise. now launch our galleys back again to sea, where we'll attend the respite you have ta'en, and for the money send our messenger. farewell, great governor, and brave knights of malta. ferneze. and all good fortune wait on calymath! [exeunt calymath and bassoes.] go one and call those jews of malta hither: were they not summon'd to appear to-day? first officer. they were, my lord; and here they come. enter barabas and three jews. first knight. have you determin'd what to say to them? ferneze. yes; give me leave:--and, hebrews, now come near. ]from the emperor of turkey is arriv'd great selim calymath, his highness' son, to levy of us ten years' tribute past: now, then, here know that it concerneth us. barabas. then, good my lord, to keep your quiet still, your lordship shall do well to let them have it. ferneze. soft, barabas! there's more 'longs to't than so. to what this ten years' tribute will amount, that we have cast, but cannot compass it by reason of the wars, that robb'd our store; and therefore are we to request your aid. barabas. alas, my lord, we are no soldiers! and what's our aid against so great a prince? first knight. tut, jew, we know thou art no soldier: thou art a merchant and a money'd man, and 'tis thy money, barabas, we seek. barabas. how, my lord! my money! ferneze. thine and the rest; for, to be short, amongst you't must be had. first jew. alas, my lord, the most of us are poor! ferneze. then let the rich increase your portions. barabas. are strangers with your tribute to be tax'd? second knight. have strangers leave with us to get their wealth? then let them with us contribute. barabas. how! equally? ferneze. no, jew, like infidels; for through our sufferance of your hateful lives, who stand accursed in the sight of heaven, these taxes and afflictions are befall'n, and therefore thus we are determined.-- read there the articles of our decrees. officer. [ ] [reads] first, the tribute-money of the turks shall all be levied amongst the jews, and each of them to pay one half of his estate. barabas. how! half his estate!--i hope you mean not mine. [aside.] ferneze. read on. officer. [reads] secondly, he that denies [ ] to pay, shall straight-become a christian. barabas. how! a christian!--hum,--what's here to do? [aside.] officer. [reads] lastly, he that denies this, shall absolutely lose all he has. three jews. o my lord, we will give half! barabas. o earth-mettled villains, and no hebrews born! and will you basely thus submit yourselves to leave your goods to their arbitrement? ferneze. why, barabas, wilt thou be christened? barabas. no, governor, i will be no convertite. [ ] ferneze. then pay thy half. barabas. why, know you what you did by this device? half of my substance is a city's wealth. governor, it was not got so easily; nor will i part so slightly therewithal. ferneze. sir, half is the penalty of our decree; either pay that, or we will seize on all. barabas. corpo di dio! stay: you shall have half; let me be us'd but as my brethren are. ferneze. no, jew, thou hast denied the articles, and now it cannot be recall'd. [exeunt officers, on a sign from ferneze] barabas. will you, then, steal my goods? is theft the ground of your religion? ferneze. no, jew; we take particularly thine, to save the ruin of a multitude: and better one want for a common good, than many perish for a private man: yet, barabas, we will not banish thee, but here in malta, where thou gott'st thy wealth, live still; and, if thou canst, get more. barabas. christians, what or how can i multiply? of naught is nothing made. first knight. from naught at first thou cam'st to little wealth, ]from little unto more, from more to most: if your first curse fall heavy on thy head, and make thee poor and scorn'd of all the world, 'tis not our fault, but thy inherent sin. barabas. what, bring you scripture to confirm your wrongs? preach me not out of my possessions. some jews are wicked, as all christians are: but say the tribe that i descended of were all in general cast away for sin, shall i be tried by their transgression? the man that dealeth righteously shall live; and which of you can charge me otherwise? ferneze. out, wretched barabas! sham'st thou not thus to justify thyself, as if we knew not thy profession? if thou rely upon thy righteousness, be patient, and thy riches will increase. excess of wealth is cause of covetousness; and covetousness, o, 'tis a monstrous sin! barabas. ay, but theft is worse: tush! take not from me, then, for that is theft; and, if you rob me thus, i must be forc'd to steal, and compass more. first knight. grave governor, list not to his exclaims: convert his mansion to a nunnery; his house will harbour many holy nuns. ferneze. it shall be so. re-enter officers. now, officers, have you done? first officer. ay, my lord, we have seiz'd upon the goods and wares of barabas, which, being valu'd, amount to more than all the wealth in malta: and of the other we have seized half. ferneze. then we'll take [ ] order for the residue. barabas. well, then, my lord, say, are you satisfied? you have my goods, my money, and my wealth, my ships, my store, and all that i enjoy'd; and, having all, you can request no more, unless your unrelenting flinty hearts suppress all pity in your stony breasts, and now shall move you to bereave my life. ferneze. no, barabas; to stain our hands with blood is far from us and our profession. barabas. why, i esteem the injury far less, to take the lives of miserable men than be the causers of their misery. you have my wealth, the labour of my life, the comfort of mine age, my children's hope; and therefore ne'er distinguish of the wrong. ferneze. content thee, barabas; thou hast naught but right. barabas. your extreme right does me exceeding wrong: but take it to you, i'the devil's name! ferneze. come, let us in, and gather of these goods the money for this tribute of the turk. first knight. 'tis necessary that be look'd unto; for, if we break our day, we break the league, and that will prove but simple policy. [exeunt all except barabas and the three jews.] barabas. ay, policy! that's their profession, and not simplicity, as they suggest.-- the plagues of egypt, and the curse of heaven, earth's barrenness, and all men's hatred, inflict upon them, thou great primus motor! and here upon my knees, striking the earth, i ban their souls to everlasting pains, and extreme tortures of the fiery deep, that thus have dealt with me in my distress! first jew. o, yet be patient, gentle barabas! barabas. o silly brethren, born to see this day, why stand you thus unmov'd with my laments? why weep you not to think upon my wrongs? why pine not i, and die in this distress? first jew. why, barabas, as hardly can we brook the cruel handling of ourselves in this: thou seest they have taken half our goods. barabas. why did you yield to their extortion? you were a multitude, and i but one; and of me only have they taken all. first jew. yet, brother barabas, remember job. barabas. what tell you me of job? i wot his wealth was written thus; he had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, and two hundred yoke of labouring oxen, and five hundred she-asses: but for every one of those, had they been valu'd at indifferent rate, i had at home, and in mine argosy, and other ships that came from egypt last, as much as would have bought his beasts and him, and yet have kept enough to live upon; so that not he, but i, may curse the day, thy fatal birth-day, forlorn barabas; and henceforth wish for an eternal night, that clouds of darkness may inclose my flesh, and hide these extreme sorrows from mine eyes; for only i have toil'd to inherit here the months of vanity, and loss of time, and painful nights, have been appointed me. second jew. good barabas, be patient. barabas. ay, i pray, leave me in my patience. you, that were ne'er possess'd of wealth, are pleas'd with want; but give him liberty at least to mourn, that in a field, amidst his enemies, doth see his soldiers slain, himself disarm'd, and knows no means of his recovery: ay, let me sorrow for this sudden chance; 'tis in the trouble of my spirit i speak: great injuries are not so soon forgot. first jew. come, let us leave him; in his ireful mood our words will but increase his ecstasy. [ ] second jew. on, then: but, trust me, 'tis a misery to see a man in such affliction.-- farewell, barabas. barabas. ay, fare you well. [exeunt three jews.] [ ] see the simplicity of these base slaves, who, for the villains have no wit themselves, think me to be a senseless lump of clay, that will with every water wash to dirt! no, barabas is born to better chance, and fram'd of finer mould than common men, that measure naught but by the present time. a reaching thought will search his deepest wits, and cast with cunning for the time to come; for evils are apt to happen every day. enter abigail. but whither wends my beauteous abigail? o, what has made my lovely daughter sad? what, woman! moan not for a little loss; thy father has enough in store for thee. abigail. nor for myself, but aged barabas, father, for thee lamenteth abigail: but i will learn to leave these fruitless tears; and, urg'd thereto with my afflictions, with fierce exclaims run to the senate-house, and in the senate reprehend them all, and rent their hearts with tearing of my hair, till they reduce [ ] the wrongs done to my father. barabas. no, abigail; things past recovery are hardly cur'd with exclamations: be silent, daughter; sufferance breeds ease, and time may yield us an occasion, which on the sudden cannot serve the turn. besides, my girl, think me not all so fond [ ] as negligently to forgo so much without provision for thyself and me: ten thousand portagues, [ ] besides great pearls, rich costly jewels, and stones infinite, fearing the worst of this before it fell, i closely hid. abigail. where, father? barabas. in my house, my girl. abigail. then shall they ne'er be seen of barabas; for they have seiz'd upon thy house and wares. barabas. but they will give me leave once more, i trow, to go into my house. abigail. that may they not; for there i left the governor placing nuns, displacing me; and of thy house they mean to make a nunnery, where none but their own sect [ ] must enter in; men generally barr'd. barabas. my gold, my gold, and all my wealth is gone!-- you partial heavens, have i deserv'd this plague? what, will you thus oppose me, luckless stars, to make me desperate in my poverty? and, knowing me impatient in distress, think me so mad as i will hang myself, that i may vanish o'er the earth in air, and leave no memory that e'er i was? no, i will live; nor loathe i this my life: and, since you leave me in the ocean thus to sink or swim, and put me to my shifts, i'll rouse my senses, and awake myself.-- daughter, i have it: thou perceiv'st the plight wherein these christians have oppressed me: be rul'd by me, for in extremity we ought to make bar of no policy. abigail. father, whate'er it be, to injure them that have so manifestly wronged us, what will not abigail attempt? barabas. why, so. then thus: thou told'st me they have turn'd my house into a nunnery, and some nuns are there? abigail. i did. barabas. then, abigail, there must my girl entreat the abbess to be entertain'd. abigail. how! as a nun? barabas. ay, daughter; for religion hides many mischiefs from suspicion. abigail. ay, but, father, they will suspect me there. barabas. let 'em suspect; but be thou so precise as they may think it done of holiness: entreat 'em fair, and give them friendly speech, and seem to them as if thy sins were great, till thou hast gotten to be entertain'd. abigail. thus, father, shall i much dissemble. barabas. tush! as good dissemble that thou never mean'st, as first mean truth and then dissemble it: a counterfeit profession is better than unseen hypocrisy. abigail. well, father, say i be entertain'd, what then shall follow? barabas. this shall follow then. there have i hid, close underneath the plank that runs along the upper-chamber floor, the gold and jewels which i kept for thee:-- but here they come: be cunning, abigail. abigail. then, father, go with me. barabas. no, abigail, in this it is not necessary i be seen; for i will seem offended with thee for't: be close, my girl, for this must fetch my gold. [they retire.] enter friar jacomo, [ ] friar barnardine, abbess, and a nun. friar jacomo. sisters, we now are almost at the new-made nunnery. abbess. [ ] the better; for we love not to be seen: 'tis thirty winters long since some of us did stray so far amongst the multitude. friar jacomo. but, madam, this house and waters of this new-made nunnery will much delight you. abbess. it may be so.--but who comes here? [abigail comes forward.] abigail. grave abbess, and you happy virgins' guide, pity the state of a distressed maid! abbess. what art thou, daughter? abigail. the hopeless daughter of a hapless jew, the jew of malta, wretched barabas, sometimes [ ] the owner of a goodly house, which they have now turn'd to a nunnery. abbess. well, daughter, say, what is thy suit with us? abigail. fearing the afflictions which my father feels proceed from sin or want of faith in us, i'd pass away my life in penitence, and be a novice in your nunnery, to make atonement for my labouring soul. friar jacomo. no doubt, brother, but this proceedeth of the spirit. friar barnardine. ay, and of a moving spirit too, brother: but come, let us entreat she may be entertain'd. abbess. well, daughter, we admit you for a nun. abigail. first let me as a novice learn to frame my solitary life to your strait laws, and let me lodge where i was wont to lie: i do not doubt, by your divine precepts and mine own industry, but to profit much. barabas. as much, i hope, as all i hid is worth. [aside.] abbess. come, daughter, follow us. barabas. [coming forward] why, how now, abigail! what mak'st thou 'mongst these hateful christians? friar jacomo. hinder her not, thou man of little faith, for she has mortified herself. barabas. how! mortified! friar jacomo. and is admitted to the sisterhood. barabas. child of perdition, and thy father's shame! what wilt thou do among these hateful fiends? i charge thee on my blessing that thou leave these devils and their damned heresy! abigail. father, forgive me-- [ ] barabas. nay, back, abigail, and think upon the jewels and the gold; the board is marked thus that covers it.-- [aside to abigail in a whisper.] away, accursed, from thy father's sight! friar jacomo. barabas, although thou art in misbelief, and wilt not see thine own afflictions, yet let thy daughter be no longer blind. barabas. blind friar, i reck not thy persuasions,-- the board is marked thus [ ] that covers it-- [aside to abigail in a whisper.] for i had rather die than see her thus.-- wilt thou forsake me too in my distress, seduced daughter?--go, forget not.-- [ ] [aside to her in a whisper.] becomes it jews to be so credulous?-- to-morrow early i'll be at the door.-- [aside to her in a whisper.] no, come not at me; if thou wilt be damn'd, forget me, see me not; and so, be gone!-- farewell; remember to-morrow morning.-- [aside to her in a whisper.] out, out, thou wretch! [exit, on one side, barabas. exeunt, on the other side, friars, abbess, nun, and abigail: and, as they are going out,] enter mathias. mathias. who's this? fair abigail, the rich jew's daughter, become a nun! her father's sudden fall has humbled her, and brought her down to this: tut, she were fitter for a tale of love, than to be tired out with orisons; and better would she far become a bed, embraced in a friendly lover's arms, than rise at midnight to a solemn mass. enter lodowick. lodowick. why, how now, don mathias! in a dump? mathias. believe me, noble lodowick, i have seen the strangest sight, in my opinion, that ever i beheld. lodowick. what was't, i prithee? mathias. a fair young maid, scarce fourteen years of age, the sweetest flower in cytherea's field, cropt from the pleasures of the fruitful earth, and strangely metamorphos'd [to a] nun. lodowick. but say, what was she? mathias. why, the rich jew's daughter. lodowick. what, barabas, whose goods were lately seiz'd? is she so fair? mathias. and matchless beautiful, as, had you seen her, 'twould have mov'd your heart, though countermin'd with walls of brass, to love, or, at the least, to pity. lodowick. an if she be so fair as you report, 'twere time well spent to go and visit her: how say you? shall we? mathias. i must and will, sir; there's no remedy. lodowick. and so will i too, or it shall go hard. farewell, mathias. mathias. farewell, lodowick. [exeunt severally.] act ii. enter barabas, with a light. [ ] barabas. thus, like the sad-presaging raven, that tolls the sick man's passport in her hollow beak, [ ] and in the shadow of the silent night doth shake contagion from her sable wings, vex'd and tormented runs poor barabas with fatal curses towards these christians. the incertain pleasures of swift-footed time have ta'en their flight, and left me in despair; and of my former riches rests no more but bare remembrance; like a soldier's scar, that has no further comfort for his maim.-- o thou, that with a fiery pillar ledd'st the sons of israel through the dismal shades, light abraham's offspring; and direct the hand of abigail this night! or let the day turn to eternal darkness after this!-- no sleep can fasten on my watchful eyes, nor quiet enter my distemper'd thoughts, till i have answer of my abigail. enter abigail above. abigail. now have i happily espied a time to search the plank my father did appoint; and here, behold, unseen, where i have found the gold, the pearls, and jewels, which he hid. barabas. now i remember those old women's words, who in my wealth would tell me winter's tales, and speak of spirits and ghosts that glide by night about the place where treasure hath been hid: and now methinks that i am one of those; for, whilst i live, here lives my soul's sole hope, and, when i die, here shall my spirit walk. abigail. now that my father's fortune were so good as but to be about this happy place! 'tis not so happy: yet, when we parted last, he said he would attend me in the morn. then, gentle sleep, where'er his body rests, give charge to morpheus that he may dream a golden dream, and of [ ] the sudden wake, [ ] come and receive the treasure i have found. barabas. bueno para todos mi ganado no era: [ ] as good go on, as sit so sadly thus.-- but stay: what star shines yonder in the east? [ ] the loadstar of my life, if abigail.-- who's there? abigail. who's that? barabas. peace, abigail! 'tis i. abigail. then, father, here receive thy happiness. barabas. hast thou't? abigail. here.[throws down bags] hast thou't? there's more, and more, and more. barabas. o my girl, my gold, my fortune, my felicity, strength to my soul, death to mine enemy; welcome the first beginner of my bliss! o abigail, abigail, that i had thee here too! then my desires were fully satisfied: but i will practice thy enlargement thence: o girl! o gold! o beauty! o my bliss! [hugs the bags.] abigail. father, it draweth towards midnight now, and 'bout this time the nuns begin to wake; to shun suspicion, therefore, let us part. barabas. farewell, my joy, and by my fingers take a kiss from him that sends it from his soul. [exit abigail above.] now, phoebus, ope the eye-lids of the day. and, for the raven, wake the morning lark, that i may hover with her in the air, singing o'er these, as she does o'er her young. hermoso placer de los dineros. [ ] [exit.] enter ferneze, [ ] martin del bosco, knights, and officers. ferneze. now, captain, tell us whither thou art bound? whence is thy ship that anchors in our road? and why thou cam'st ashore without our leave? martin del bosco. governor of malta, hither am i bound; my ship, the flying dragon, is of spain, and so am i; del bosco is my name, vice-admiral unto the catholic king. first knight. 'tis true, my lord; therefore entreat [ ] him well. martin del bosco. our fraught is grecians, turks, and afric moors; for late upon the coast of corsica, because we vail'd not [ ] to the turkish [ ] fleet, their creeping galleys had us in the chase: but suddenly the wind began to rise, and then we luff'd and tack'd, [ ] and fought at ease: some have we fir'd, and many have we sunk; but one amongst the rest became our prize: the captain's slain; the rest remain our slaves, of whom we would make sale in malta here. ferneze. martin del bosco, i have heard of thee: welcome to malta, and to all of us! but to admit a sale of these thy turks, we may not, nay, we dare not give consent, by reason of a tributary league. first knight. del bosco, as thou lov'st and honour'st us, persuade our governor against the turk: this truce we have is but in hope of gold, and with that sum he craves might we wage war. martin del bosco. will knights of malta be in league with turks, and buy it basely too for sums of gold? my lord, remember that, to europe's shame, the christian isle of rhodes, from whence you came, was lately lost, and you were stated [ ] here to be at deadly enmity with turks. ferneze. captain, we know it; but our force is small. martin del bosco. what is the sum that calymath requires? ferneze. a hundred thousand crowns. martin del bosco. my lord and king hath title to this isle, and he means quickly to expel you hence; therefore be rul'd by me, and keep the gold: i'll write unto his majesty for aid, and not depart until i see you free. ferneze. on this condition shall thy turks be sold.-- go, officers, and set them straight in show.-- [exeunt officers.] bosco, thou shalt be malta's general; we and our warlike knights will follow thee against these barbarous misbelieving turks. martin del bosco. so shall you imitate those you succeed; for, when their hideous force environ'd rhodes, small though the number was that kept the town, they fought it out, and not a man surviv'd to bring the hapless news to christendom. ferneze. so will we fight it out: come, let's away. proud daring calymath, instead of gold, we'll send thee bullets wrapt in smoke and fire: claim tribute where thou wilt, we are resolv'd,-- honour is bought with blood, and not with gold. [exeunt.] enter officers, [ ] with ithamore and other slaves. first officer. this is the market-place; here let 'em stand: fear not their sale, for they'll be quickly bought. second officer. every one's price is written on his back, and so much must they yield, or not be sold. first officer. here comes the jew: had not his goods been seiz'd, he'd give us present money for them all. enter barabas. barabas. in spite of these swine-eating christians, (unchosen nation, never circumcis'd, poor villains, such as were [ ] ne'er thought upon till titus and vespasian conquer'd us,) am i become as wealthy as i was. they hop'd my daughter would ha' been a nun; but she's at home, and i have bought a house as great and fair as is the governor's: and there, in spite of malta, will i dwell, having ferneze's hand; whose heart i'll have, ay, and his son's too, or it shall go hard. i am not of the tribe of levi, i, that can so soon forget an injury. we jews can fawn like spaniels when we please; and when we grin we bite; yet are our looks as innocent and harmless as a lamb's. i learn'd in florence how to kiss my hand, heave up my shoulders when they call me dog, and duck as low as any bare-foot friar; hoping to see them starve upon a stall, or else be gather'd for in our synagogue, that, when the offering-basin comes to me, even for charity i may spit into't.-- here comes don lodowick, the governor's son, one that i love for his good father's sake. enter lodowick. lodowick. i hear the wealthy jew walked this way: i'll seek him out, and so insinuate, that i may have a sight of abigail, for don mathias tells me she is fair. barabas. now will i shew myself to have more of the serpent than the dove; that is, more knave than fool. [aside.] lodowick. yond' walks the jew: now for fair abigail. barabas. ay, ay, no doubt but she's at your command. [aside.] lodowick. barabas, thou know'st i am the governor's son. barabas. i would you were his father too, sir! that's all the harm i wish you.--the slave looks like a hog's cheek new-singed. [aside.] lodowick. whither walk'st thou, barabas? barabas. no further: 'tis a custom held with us, that when we speak with gentiles like to you, we turn into [ ] the air to purge ourselves; for unto us the promise doth belong. lodowick. well, barabas, canst help me to a diamond? barabas. o, sir, your father had my diamonds: yet i have one left that will serve your turn.-- i mean my daughter; but, ere he shall have her, i'll sacrifice her on a pile of wood: i ha' the poison of the city [ ] for him, and the white leprosy. [aside.] lodowick. what sparkle does it give without a foil? barabas. the diamond that i talk of ne'er was foil'd:-- but, when he touches it, it will be foil'd.-- [ ] [aside.] lord lodowick, it sparkles bright and fair. lodowick. is it square or pointed? pray, let me know. barabas. pointed it is, good sir,--but not for you. [aside.] lodowick. i like it much the better. barabas. so do i too. lodowick. how shews it by night? barabas. outshines cynthia's rays:-- you'll like it better far o' nights than days. [aside.] lodowick. and what's the price? barabas. your life, an if you have it [aside].--o my lord, we will not jar about the price: come to my house, and i will give't your honour--with a vengeance. [aside.] lodowick. no, barabas, i will deserve it first. barabas. good sir, your father has deserv'd it at my hands, who, of mere charity and christian ruth, to bring me to religious purity, and, as it were, in catechising sort, to make me mindful of my mortal sins, against my will, and whether i would or no, seiz'd all i had, and thrust me out o' doors, and made my house a place for nuns most chaste. lodowick. no doubt your soul shall reap the fruit of it. barabas. ay, but, my lord, the harvest is far off: and yet i know the prayers of those nuns and holy friars, having money for their pains, are wondrous;--and indeed do no man good;-- [aside.] and, seeing they are not idle, but still doing, 'tis likely they in time may reap some fruit, i mean, in fullness of perfection. lodowick. good barabas, glance not at our holy nuns. barabas. no, but i do it through a burning zeal,-- hoping ere long to set the house a-fire; for, though they do a while increase and multiply, i'll have a saying to that nunnery.-- [ ] [aside.] as for the diamond, sir, i told you of, come home, and there's no price shall make us part, even for your honourable father's sake,-- it shall go hard but i will see your death.-- [aside.] but now i must be gone to buy a slave. lodowick. and, barabas, i'll bear thee company. barabas. come, then; here's the market-place.-- what's the price of this slave? two hundred crowns! do the turks weigh so much? first officer. sir, that's his price. barabas. what, can he steal, that you demand so much? belike he has some new trick for a purse; an if he has, he is worth three hundred plates, [ ] so that, being bought, the town-seal might be got to keep him for his life-time from the gallows: the sessions-day is critical to thieves, and few or none scape but by being purg'd. lodowick. rat'st thou this moor but at two hundred plates? first officer. no more, my lord. barabas. why should this turk be dearer than that moor? first officer. because he is young, and has more qualities. barabas. what, hast the philosopher's stone? an thou hast, break my head with it, i'll forgive thee. slave. [ ] no, sir; i can cut and shave. barabas. let me see, sirrah; are you not an old shaver? slave. alas, sir, i am a very youth! barabas. a youth! i'll buy you, and marry you to lady vanity, [ ] if you do well. slave. i will serve you, sir. barabas. some wicked trick or other: it may be, under colour of shaving, thou'lt cut my throat for my goods. tell me, hast thou thy health well? slave. ay, passing well. barabas. so much the worse: i must have one that's sickly, an't be but for sparing victuals: 'tis not a stone of beef a-day will maintain you in these chops.--let me see one that's somewhat leaner. first officer. here's a leaner; how like you him? barabas. where wast thou born? ithamore. in thrace; brought up in arabia. barabas. so much the better; thou art for my turn. an hundred crowns? i'll have him; there's the coin. [gives money.] first officer. then mark him, sir, and take him hence. barabas. ay, mark him, you were best; for this is he that by my help shall do much villany.-- [aside.] my lord, farewell.--come, sirrah; you are mine.-- as for the diamond, it shall be yours: i pray, sir, be no stranger at my house; all that i have shall be at your command. enter mathias and katharine. [ ] mathias. what make the jew and lodowick so private? i fear me 'tis about fair abigail. [aside.] barabas. [to lodowick.] yonder comes don mathias; let us stay: [ ] he loves my daughter, and she holds him dear; but i have sworn to frustrate both their hopes, and be reveng'd upon the--governor. [aside.] [exit lodowick.] katharine. this moor is comeliest, is he not? speak, son. mathias. no, this is the better, mother, view this well. barabas. seem not to know me here before your mother, lest she mistrust the match that is in hand: when you have brought her home, come to my house; think of me as thy father: son, farewell. mathias. but wherefore talk'd don lodowick with you? barabas. tush, man! we talk'd of diamonds, not of abigail. katharine. tell me, mathias, is not that the jew? barabas. as for the comment on the maccabees, i have it, sir, and 'tis at your command. mathias. yes, madam, and my talk with him was [ ] about the borrowing of a book or two. katharine. converse not with him; he is cast off from heaven.-- thou hast thy crowns, fellow.--come, let's away. mathias. sirrah jew, remember the book. barabas. marry, will i, sir. [exeunt katharlne and mathias.] first officer. come, i have made a reasonable market; let's away. [exeunt officers with slaves.] barabas. now let me know thy name, and therewithal thy birth, condition, and profession. ithamore. faith, sir, my birth is but mean; my name's ithamore; my profession what you please. barabas. hast thou no trade? then listen to my words, and i will teach [thee] that shall stick by thee: first, be thou void of these affections, compassion, love, vain hope, and heartless fear; be mov'd at nothing, see thou pity none, but to thyself smile when the christians moan. ithamore. o, brave, master! [ ] i worship your nose [ ] for this. barabas. as for myself, i walk abroad o' nights, and kill sick people groaning under walls: sometimes i go about and poison wells; and now and then, to cherish christian thieves, i am content to lose some of my crowns, that i may, walking in my gallery, see 'em go pinion'd along by my door. being young, i studied physic, and began to practice first upon the italian; there i enrich'd the priests with burials, and always kept the sexton's arms in ure [ ] with digging graves and ringing dead men's knells: and, after that, was i an engineer, and in the wars 'twixt france and germany, under pretence of helping charles the fifth, slew friend and enemy with my stratagems: then, after that, was i an usurer, and with extorting, cozening, forfeiting, and tricks belonging unto brokery, i fill'd the gaols with bankrupts in a year, and with young orphans planted hospitals; and every moon made some or other mad, and now and then one hang himself for grief, pinning upon his breast a long great scroll how i with interest tormented him. but mark how i am blest for plaguing them;-- i have as much coin as will buy the town. but tell me now, how hast thou spent thy time? ithamore. faith, master, in setting christian villages on fire, chaining of eunuchs, binding galley-slaves. one time i was an hostler in an inn, and in the night-time secretly would i steal to travellers' chambers, and there cut their throats: once at jerusalem, where the pilgrims kneel'd, i strewed powder on the marble stones, and therewithal their knees would rankle so, that i have laugh'd a-good [ ] to see the cripples go limping home to christendom on stilts. barabas. why, this is something: make account of me as of thy fellow; we are villains both; both circumcised; we hate christians both: be true and secret; thou shalt want no gold. but stand aside; here comes don lodowick. enter lodowick. [ ] lodowick. o, barabas, well met; where is the diamond you told me of? barabas. i have it for you, sir: please you walk in with me.-- what, ho, abigail! open the door, i say! enter abigail, with letters. abigail. in good time, father; here are letters come ]from ormus, and the post stays here within. barabas. give me the letters.--daughter, do you hear? entertain lodowick, the governor's son, with all the courtesy you can afford, provided that you keep your maidenhead: use him as if he were a philistine; dissemble, swear, protest, vow love to him: [ ] he is not of the seed of abraham.-- [aside to her.] i am a little busy, sir; pray, pardon me.-- abigail, bid him welcome for my sake. abigail. for your sake and his own he's welcome hither. barabas. daughter, a word more: kiss him, speak him fair, and like a cunning jew so cast about, that ye be both made sure [ ] ere you come out. [aside to her.] abigail. o father, don mathias is my love! barabas. i know it: yet, i say, make love to him; do, it is requisite it should be so.-- [aside to her.] nay, on my life, it is my factor's hand; but go you in, i'll think upon the account. [exeunt abigail and lodowick into the house.] the account is made, for lodovico [ ] dies. my factor sends me word a merchant's fled that owes me for a hundred tun of wine: i weigh it thus much[snapping his fingers]! i have wealth enough; for now by this has he kiss'd abigail, and she vows love to him, and he to her. as sure as heaven rain'd manna for the jews, so sure shall he and don mathias die: his father was my chiefest enemy. enter mathias. whither goes don mathias? stay a while. mathias. whither, but to my fair love abigail? barabas. thou know'st, and heaven can witness it is true, that i intend my daughter shall be thine. mathias. ay, barabas, or else thou wrong'st me much. barabas. o, heaven forbid i should have such a thought! pardon me though i weep: the governor's son will, whether i will or no, have abigail; he sends her letters, bracelets, jewels, rings. mathias. does she receive them? barabas. she! no, mathias, no, but sends them back; and, when he comes, she locks herself up fast; yet through the key-hole will he talk to her, while she runs to the window, looking out when you should come and hale him from the door. mathias. o treacherous lodowick! barabas. even now, as i came home, he slipt me in, and i am sure he is with abigail. mathias. i'll rouse him thence. barabas. not for all malta; therefore sheathe your sword; if you love me, no quarrels in my house; but steal you in, and seem to see him not: i'll give him such a warning ere he goes, as he shall have small hopes of abigail. away, for here they come. re-enter lodowick and abigail. mathias. what, hand in hand! i cannot suffer this. barabas. mathias, as thou lov'st me, not a word. mathias. well, let it pass; another time shall serve. [exit into the house.] lodowick. barabas, is not that the widow's son? barabas. ay, and take heed, for he hath sworn your death. lodowick. my death! what, is the base-born peasant mad? barabas. no, no; but happily [ ] he stands in fear of that which you, i think, ne'er dream upon,-- my daughter here, a paltry silly girl. lodowick. why, loves she don mathias? barabas. doth she not with her smiling answer you? abigail. he has my heart; i smile against my will. [aside.] lodowick. barabas, thou know'st i have lov'd thy daughter long. barabas. and so has she done you, even from a child. lodowick. and now i can no longer hold my mind. barabas. nor i the affection that i bear to you. lodowick. this is thy diamond; tell me, shall i have it? barabas. win it, and wear it; it is yet unsoil'd. [ ] o, but i know your lordship would disdain to marry with the daughter of a jew: and yet i'll give her many a golden cross [ ] with christian posies round about the ring. lodowick. 'tis not thy wealth, but her that i esteem; yet crave i thy consent. barabas. and mine you have; yet let me talk to her.-- this offspring of cain, this jebusite, that never tasted of the passover, nor e'er shall see the land of canaan, nor our messias that is yet to come; this gentle maggot, lodowick, i mean, must be deluded: let him have thy hand, but keep thy heart till don mathias comes. [aside to her.] abigail. what, shall i be betroth'd to lodowick? barabas. it's no sin to deceive a christian; for they themselves hold it a principle, faith is not to be held with heretics: but all are heretics that are not jews; this follows well, and therefore, daughter, fear not.-- [aside to her.] i have entreated her, and she will grant. lodowick. then, gentle abigail, plight thy faith to me. abigail. i cannot choose, seeing my father bids: nothing but death shall part my love and me. lodowick. now have i that for which my soul hath long'd. barabas. so have not i; but yet i hope i shall. [aside.] abigail. o wretched abigail, what hast thou [ ] done? [aside.] lodowick. why on the sudden is your colour chang'd? abigail. i know not: but farewell; i must be gone. barabas. stay her, but let her not speak one word more. lodowick. mute o' the sudden! here's a sudden change. barabas. o, muse not at it; 'tis the hebrews' guise, that maidens new-betroth'd should weep a while: trouble her not; sweet lodowick, depart: she is thy wife, and thou shalt be mine heir. lodowick. o, is't the custom? then i am resolv'd: [ ] but rather let the brightsome heavens be dim, and nature's beauty choke with stifling clouds, than my fair abigail should frown on me.-- there comes the villain; now i'll be reveng'd. re-enter mathias. barabas. be quiet, lodowick; it is enough that i have made thee sure to abigail. lodowick. well, let him go. [exit.] barabas. well, but for me, as you went in at doors you had been stabb'd: but not a word on't now; here must no speeches pass, nor swords be drawn. mathias. suffer me, barabas, but to follow him. barabas. no; so shall i, if any hurt be done, be made an accessary of your deeds: revenge it on him when you meet him next. mathias. for this i'll have his heart. barabas. do so. lo, here i give thee abigail! mathias. what greater gift can poor mathias have? shall lodowick rob me of so fair a love? my life is not so dear as abigail. barabas. my heart misgives me, that, to cross your love, he's with your mother; therefore after him. mathias. what, is he gone unto my mother? barabas. nay, if you will, stay till she comes herself. mathias. i cannot stay; for, if my mother come, she'll die with grief. [exit.] abigail. i cannot take my leave of him for tears. father, why have you thus incens'd them both? barabas. what's that to thee? abigail. i'll make 'em friends again. barabas. you'll make 'em friends! are there not jews enow in malta, but thou must dote upon a christian? abigail. i will have don mathias; he is my love. barabas. yes, you shall have him.--go, put her in. ithamore. ay, i'll put her in. [puts in abigail.] barabas. now tell me, ithamore, how lik'st thou this? ithamore. faith, master, i think by this you purchase both their lives: is it not so? barabas. true; and it shall be cunningly perform'd. ithamore. o, master, that i might have a hand in this! barabas. ay, so thou shalt; 'tis thou must do the deed: take this, and bear it to mathias straight, [giving a letter.] and tell him that it comes from lodowick. ithamore. 'tis poison'd, is it not? barabas. no, no; and yet it might be done that way: it is a challenge feign'd from lodowick. ithamore. fear not; i will so set his heart a-fire, that he shall verily think it comes from him. barabas. i cannot choose but like thy readiness: yet be not rash, but do it cunningly. ithamore. as i behave myself in this, employ me hereafter. barabas. away, then! [exit ithamore.] so; now will i go in to lodowick, and, like a cunning spirit, feign some lie, till i have set 'em both at enmity. [exit.] act iii. enter bellamira. [ ] bellamira. since this town was besieg'd, my gain grows cold: the time has been, that but for one bare night a hundred ducats have been freely given; but now against my will i must be chaste: and yet i know my beauty doth not fail. ]from venice merchants, and from padua were wont to come rare-witted gentlemen, scholars i mean, learned and liberal; and now, save pilia-borza, comes there none, and he is very seldom from my house; and here he comes. enter pilia-borza. pilia-borza. hold thee, wench, there's something for thee to spend. [shewing a bag of silver.] bellamira. 'tis silver; i disdain it. pilia-borza. ay, but the jew has gold, and i will have it, or it shall go hard. bellamira. tell me, how cam'st thou by this? pilia-borza. faith, walking the back-lanes, through the gardens, i chanced to cast mine eye up to the jew's counting-house, where i saw some bags of money, and in the night i clambered up with my hooks; and, as i was taking my choice, i heard a rumbling in the house; so i took only this, and run my way.--but here's the jew's man. bellamira. hide the bag. enter ithamore. pilia-borza. look not towards him, let's away. zoons, what a looking thou keepest! thou'lt betray's anon. [exeunt bellamira and pilia-borza.] ithamore. o, the sweetest face that ever i beheld! i know she is a courtezan by her attire: now would i give a hundred of the jew's crowns that i had such a concubine. well, i have deliver'd the challenge in such sort, as meet they will, and fighting die,--brave sport! [exit.] enter mathias. mathias. this is the place: [ ] now abigail shall see whether mathias holds her dear or no. enter lodowick. what, dares the villain write in such base terms? [looking at a letter.] lodowick. i did it; and revenge it, if thou dar'st! [they fight.] enter barabas above. barabas. o, bravely fought! and yet they thrust not home. now, lodovico! [ ] now, mathias!--so; [both fall.] so, now they have shew'd themselves to be tall [ ] fellows. [cries within] part 'em, part 'em! barabas. ay, part 'em now they are dead. farewell, farewell! [exit above.] enter ferneze, katharine, and attendants. ferneze. what sight is this! [ ] my lodovico [ ] slain! these arms of mine shall be thy sepulchre. [ ] katharine. who is this? my son mathias slain! ferneze. o lodowick, hadst thou perish'd by the turk, wretched ferneze might have veng'd thy death! katharine. thy son slew mine, and i'll revenge his death. ferneze. look, katharine, look! thy son gave mine these wounds. katharine. o, leave to grieve me! i am griev'd enough. ferneze. o, that my sighs could turn to lively breath, and these my tears to blood, that he might live! katharine. who made them enemies? ferneze. i know not; and that grieves me most of all. katharine. my son lov'd thine. ferneze. and so did lodowick him. katharine. lend me that weapon that did kill my son, and it shall murder me. ferneze. nay, madam, stay; that weapon was my son's, and on that rather should ferneze die. katharine. hold; let's inquire the causers of their deaths, that we may venge their blood upon their heads. ferneze. then take them up, and let them be interr'd within one sacred monument of stone; upon which altar i will offer up my daily sacrifice of sighs and tears, and with my prayers pierce impartial heavens, till they [reveal] the causers of our smarts, which forc'd their hands divide united hearts. come, katharine; [ ] our losses equal are; then of true grief let us take equal share. [exeunt with the bodies.] enter ithamore. [ ] ithamore. why, was there ever seen such villany, so neatly plotted, and so well perform'd? both held in hand, [ ] and flatly both beguil'd? enter abigail. abigail. why, how now, ithamore! why laugh'st thou so? ithamore. o mistress! ha, ha, ha! abigail. why, what ail'st thou? ithamore. o, my master! abigail. ha! ithamore. o mistress, i have the bravest, gravest, secret, subtle, bottle-nosed [ ] knave to my master, that ever gentleman had! abigail. say, knave, why rail'st upon my father thus? ithamore. o, my master has the bravest policy! abigail. wherein? ithamore. why, know you not? abigail. why, no. ithamore. know you not of mathia[s'] and don lodowick['s] disaster? abigail. no: what was it? ithamore. why, the devil inverted a challenge, my master writ it, and i carried it, first to lodowick, and imprimis to mathia[s]; and then they met, [and], as the story says, in doleful wise they ended both their days. abigail. and was my father furtherer of their deaths? ithamore. am i ithamore? abigail. yes. ithamore. so sure did your father write, and i carry the challenge. abigail. well, ithamore, let me request thee this; go to the new-made nunnery, and inquire for any of the friars of saint jaques, [ ] and say, i pray them come and speak with me. ithamore. i pray, mistress, will you answer me to one question? abigail. well, sirrah, what is't? ithamore. a very feeling one: have not the nuns fine sport with the friars now and then? abigail. go to, sirrah sauce! is this your question? get ye gone. ithamore. i will, forsooth, mistress. [exit.] abigail. hard-hearted father, unkind barabas! was this the pursuit of thy policy, to make me shew them favour severally, that by my favour they should both be slain? admit thou lov'dst not lodowick for his sire, [ ] yet don mathias ne'er offended thee: but thou wert set upon extreme revenge, because the prior dispossess'd thee once, and couldst not venge it but upon his son; nor on his son but by mathias' means; nor on mathias but by murdering me: but i perceive there is no love on earth, pity in jews, nor piety in turks.-- but here comes cursed ithamore with the friar. re-enter ithamore with friar jacomo. friar jacomo. virgo, salve. ithamore. when duck you? abigail. welcome, grave friar.--ithamore, be gone. [exit ithamore.] know, holy sir, i am bold to solicit thee. friar jacomo. wherein? abigail. to get me be admitted for a nun. friar jacomo. why, abigail, it is not yet long since that i did labour thy admission, and then thou didst not like that holy life. abigail. then were my thoughts so frail and unconfirm'd as [ ] i was chain'd to follies of the world: but now experience, purchased with grief, has made me see the difference of things. my sinful soul, alas, hath pac'd too long the fatal labyrinth of misbelief, far from the sun that gives eternal life! friar jacomo. who taught thee this? abigail. the abbess of the house, whose zealous admonition i embrace: o, therefore, jacomo, let me be one, although unworthy, of that sisterhood! friar jacomo. abigail, i will: but see thou change no more, for that will be most heavy to thy soul. abigail. that was my father's fault. friar jacomo. thy father's! how? abigail. nay, you shall pardon me.--o barabas, though thou deservest hardly at my hands, yet never shall these lips bewray thy life! [aside.] friar jacomo. come, shall we go? abigail. my duty waits on you. [exeunt.] enter barabas, [ ] reading a letter. barabas. what, abigail become a nun again! false and unkind! what, hast thou lost thy father? and, all unknown and unconstrain'd of me, art thou again got to the nunnery? now here she writes, and wills me to repent: repentance! spurca! what pretendeth [ ] this? i fear she knows--'tis so--of my device in don mathias' and lodovico's deaths: if so, 'tis time that it be seen into; for she that varies from me in belief, gives great presumption that she loves me not, or, loving, doth dislike of something done.-- but who comes here? enter ithamore. o ithamore, come near; come near, my love; come near, thy master's life, my trusty servant, nay, my second self; [ ] for i have now no hope but even in thee, and on that hope my happiness is built. when saw'st thou abigail? ithamore. to-day. barabas. with whom? ithamore. a friar. barabas. a friar! false villain, he hath done the deed. ithamore. how, sir! barabas. why, made mine abigail a nun. ithamore. that's no lie; for she sent me for him. barabas. o unhappy day! false, credulous, inconstant abigail! but let 'em go: and, ithamore, from hence ne'er shall she grieve me more with her disgrace; ne'er shall she live to inherit aught of mine, be bless'd of me, nor come within my gates, but perish underneath my bitter curse, like cain by adam for his brother's death. ithamore. o master-- barabas. ithamore, entreat not for her; i am mov'd, and she is hateful to my soul and me: and, 'less [ ] thou yield to this that i entreat, i cannot think but that thou hat'st my life. ithamore. who, i, master? why, i'll run to some rock, and throw myself headlong into the sea; why, i'll do any thing for your sweet sake. barabas. o trusty ithamore! no servant, but my friend! i here adopt thee for mine only heir: all that i have is thine when i am dead; and, whilst i live, use half; spend as myself; here, take my keys,--i'll give 'em thee anon; go buy thee garments; but thou shalt not want: only know this, that thus thou art to do-- but first go fetch me in the pot of rice that for our supper stands upon the fire. ithamore. i hold my head, my master's hungry [aside].--i go, sir. [exit.] barabas. thus every villain ambles after wealth, although he ne'er be richer than in hope:-- but, husht! re-enter ithamore with the pot. ithamore. here 'tis, master. barabas. well said, [ ] ithamore! what, hast thou brought the ladle with thee too? ithamore. yes, sir; the proverb says, [ ] he that eats with the devil had need of a long spoon; i have brought you a ladle. barabas. very well, ithamore; then now be secret; and, for thy sake, whom i so dearly love, now shalt thou see the death of abigail, that thou mayst freely live to be my heir. ithamore. why, master, will you poison her with a mess of rice- porridge? that will preserve life, make her round and plump, and batten [ ] more than you are aware. barabas. ay, but, ithamore, seest thou this? it is a precious powder that i bought of an italian, in ancona, once, whose operation is to bind, infect, and poison deeply, yet not appear in forty hours after it is ta'en. ithamore. how, master? barabas. thus, ithamore: this even they use in malta here,--'tis call'd saint jaques' even,--and then, i say, they use to send their alms unto the nunneries: among the rest, bear this, and set it there: there's a dark entry where they take it in, where they must neither see the messenger, nor make inquiry who hath sent it them. ithamore. how so? barabas. belike there is some ceremony in't. there, ithamore, must thou go place this pot: [ ] stay; let me spice it first. ithamore. pray, do, and let me help you, master. pray, let me taste first. barabas. prithee, do.[ithamore tastes.] what say'st thou now? ithamore. troth, master, i'm loath such a pot of pottage should be spoiled. barabas. peace, ithamore! 'tis better so than spar'd. [puts the powder into the pot.] assure thyself thou shalt have broth by the eye: [ ] my purse, my coffer, and myself is thine. ithamore. well, master, i go. barabas. stay; first let me stir it, ithamore. as fatal be it to her as the draught of which great alexander drunk, and died; and with her let it work like borgia's wine, whereof his sire the pope was poisoned! in few, [ ] the blood of hydra, lerna's bane, the juice of hebon, [ ] and cocytus' breath, and all the poisons of the stygian pool, break from the fiery kingdom, and in this vomit your venom, and envenom her that, like a fiend, hath left her father thus! ithamore. what a blessing has he given't! was ever pot of rice-porridge so sauced? [aside].--what shall i do with it? barabas. o my sweet ithamore, go set it down; and come again so soon as thou hast done, for i have other business for thee. ithamore. here's a drench to poison a whole stable of flanders mares: i'll carry't to the nuns with a powder. barabas. and the horse-pestilence to boot: away! ithamore. i am gone: pay me my wages, for my work is done. [exit with the pot.] barabas. i'll pay thee with a vengeance, ithamore! [exit.] enter ferneze, [ ] martin del bosco, knights, and basso. ferneze. welcome, great basso: [ ] how fares calymath? what wind drives you thus into malta-road? basso. the wind that bloweth all the world besides, desire of gold. ferneze. desire of gold, great sir! that's to be gotten in the western inde: in malta are no golden minerals. basso. to you of malta thus saith calymath: the time you took for respite is at hand for the performance of your promise pass'd; and for the tribute-money i am sent. ferneze. basso, in brief, shalt have no tribute here, nor shall the heathens live upon our spoil: first will we raze the city-walls ourselves, lay waste the island, hew the temples down, and, shipping off our goods to sicily, open an entrance for the wasteful sea, whose billows, beating the resistless banks, [ ] shall overflow it with their refluence. basso. well, governor, since thou hast broke the league by flat denial of the promis'd tribute, talk not of razing down your city-walls; you shall not need trouble yourselves so far, for selim calymath shall come himself, and with brass bullets batter down your towers, and turn proud malta to a wilderness, for these intolerable wrongs of yours: and so, farewell. ferneze. farewell. [exit basso.] and now, you men of malta, look about, and let's provide to welcome calymath: close your port-cullis, charge your basilisks, [ ] and, as you profitably take up arms, so now courageously encounter them, for by this answer broken is the league, and naught is to be look'd for now but wars, and naught to us more welcome is than wars. [exeunt.] enter friar jacomo [ ] and friar barnardine. friar jacomo. o brother, brother, all the nuns are sick, and physic will not help them! they must die. friar barnardine. the abbess sent for me to be confess'd: o, what a sad confession will there be! friar jacomo. and so did fair maria send for me: i'll to her lodging; hereabouts she lies. [exit.] enter abigail. friar barnardine. what, all dead, save only abigail! abigail. and i shall die too, for i feel death coming. where is the friar that convers'd with me? [ ] friar barnardine. o, he is gone to see the other nuns. abigail. i sent for him; but, seeing you are come, be you my ghostly father: and first know, that in this house i liv'd religiously, chaste, and devout, much sorrowing for my sins; but, ere i came-- friar barnardine. what then? abigail. i did offend high heaven so grievously as i am almost desperate for my sins; and one offense torments me more than all. you knew mathias and don lodowick? friar barnardine. yes; what of them? abigail. my father did contract me to 'em both; first to don lodowick: him i never lov'd; mathias was the man that i held dear, and for his sake did i become a nun. friar barnardine. so: say how was their end? abigail. both, jealous of my love, envied [ ] each other; and by my father's practice, [ ] which is there [gives writing.] set down at large, the gallants were both slain. friar barnardine. o, monstrous villany! abigail. to work my peace, this i confess to thee: reveal it not; for then my father dies. friar barnardine. know that confession must not be reveal'd; the canon-law forbids it, and the priest that makes it known, being degraded first, shall be condemn'd, and then sent to the fire. abigail. so i have heard; pray, therefore, keep it close. death seizeth on my heart: ah, gentle friar, convert my father that he may be sav'd, and witness that i die a christian! [dies.] friar barnardine. ay, and a virgin too; that grieves me most. but i must to the jew, and exclaim on him, and make him stand in fear of me. re-enter friar jacomo. friar jacomo. o brother, all the nuns are dead! let's bury them. friar barnardine. first help to bury this; then go with me, and help me to exclaim against the jew. friar jacomo. why, what has he done? friar barnardine. a thing that makes me tremble to unfold. friar jacomo. what, has he crucified a child? [ ] friar barnardine. no, but a worse thing: 'twas told me in shrift; thou know'st 'tis death, an if it be reveal'd. come, let's away. [exeunt.] act iv. enter barabas [ ] and ithamore. bells within. barabas. there is no music to [ ] a christian's knell: how sweet the bells ring, now the nuns are dead, that sound at other times like tinkers' pans! i was afraid the poison had not wrought, or, though it wrought, it would have done no good, for every year they swell, and yet they live: now all are dead, not one remains alive. ithamore. that's brave, master: but think you it will not be known? barabas. how can it, if we two be secret? ithamore. for my part, fear you not. barabas. i'd cut thy throat, if i did. ithamore. and reason too. but here's a royal monastery hard by; good master, let me poison all the monks. barabas. thou shalt not need; for, now the nuns are dead, they'll die with grief. ithamore. do you not sorrow for your daughter's death? barabas. no, but i grieve because she liv'd so long, an hebrew born, and would become a christian: cazzo, [ ] diabolo! ithamore. look, look, master; here come two religious caterpillars. enter friar jacomo and friar barnardine. barabas. i smelt 'em ere they came. ithamore. god-a-mercy, nose! [ ] come, let's begone. friar barnardine. stay, wicked jew; repent, i say, and stay. friar jacomo. thou hast offended, therefore must be damn'd. barabas. i fear they know we sent the poison'd broth. ithamore. and so do i, master; therefore speak 'em fair. friar barnardine. barabas, thou hast-- friar jacomo. ay, that thou hast-- barabas. true, i have money; what though i have? friar barnardine. thou art a-- friar jacomo. ay, that thou art, a-- barabas. what needs all this? i know i am a jew. friar barnardine. thy daughter-- friar jacomo. ay, thy daughter-- barabas. o, speak not of her! then i die with grief. friar barnardine. remember that-- friar jacomo. ay, remember that-- barabas. i must needs say that i have been a great usurer. friar barnardine. thou hast committed-- barabas. fornication: but that was in another country; and besides, the wench is dead. friar barnardine. ay, but, barabas, remember mathias and don lodowick. barabas. why, what of them? friar barnardine. i will not say that by a forged challenge they met. barabas. she has confess'd, and we are both undone, my bosom inmate! [ ] but i must dissemble.-- [aside to ithamore.] o holy friars, the burden of my sins lie heavy [ ] on my soul! then, pray you, tell me, is't not too late now to turn christian? i have been zealous in the jewish faith, hard-hearted to the poor, a covetous wretch, that would for lucre's sake have sold my soul; a hundred for a hundred i have ta'en; and now for store of wealth may i compare with all the jews in malta: but what is wealth? i am a jew, and therefore am i lost. would penance serve [to atone] for this my sin, i could afford to whip myself to death,-- ithamore. and so could i; but penance will not serve. barabas. to fast, to pray, and wear a shirt of hair, and on my knees creep to jerusalem. cellars of wine, and sollars [ ] full of wheat, warehouses stuff'd with spices and with drugs, whole chests of gold in bullion and in coin, besides, i know not how much weight in pearl orient and round, have i within my house; at alexandria merchandise untold; [ ] but yesterday two ships went from this town, their voyage will be worth ten thousand crowns; in florence, venice, antwerp, london, seville, frankfort, lubeck, moscow, and where not, have i debts owing; and, in most of these, great sums of money lying in the banco; all this i'll give to some religious house, so i may be baptiz'd, and live therein. friar jacomo. o good barabas, come to our house! friar barnardine. o, no, good barabas, come to our house! and, barabas, you know-- barabas. i know that i have highly sinn'd: you shall convert me, you shall have all my wealth. friar jacomo. o barabas, their laws are strict! barabas. i know they are; and i will be with you. friar barnardine. they wear no shirts, and they go bare-foot too. barabas. then 'tis not for me; and i am resolv'd you shall confess me, and have all my goods. friar jacomo. good barabas, come to me. barabas. you see i answer him, and yet he stays; rid him away, and go you home with me. friar jacomo. i'll be with you to-night. barabas. come to my house at one o'clock this night. friar jacomo. you hear your answer, and you may be gone. friar barnardine. why, go, get you away. friar jacomo. i will not go for thee. friar barnardine. not! then i'll make thee go. friar jacomo. how! dost call me rogue? [they fight.] ithamore. part 'em, master, part 'em. barabas. this is mere frailty: brethren, be content.-- friar barnardine, go you with ithamore: you know my mind; let me alone with him. friar jacomo. why does he go to thy house? let him be gone. [ ] barabas. i'll give him something, and so stop his mouth. [exit ithamore with friar barnardine.] i never heard of any man but he malign'd the order of the jacobins: but do you think that i believe his words? why, brother, you converted abigail; and i am bound in charity to requite it, and so i will. o jacomo, fail not, but come. friar jacomo. but, barabas, who shall be your godfathers? for presently you shall be shriv'd. barabas. marry, the turk [ ] shall be one of my godfathers, but not a word to any of your covent. [ ] friar jacomo. i warrant thee, barabas. [exit.] barabas. so, now the fear is past, and i am safe; for he that shriv'd her is within my house: what, if i murder'd him ere jacomo comes? now i have such a plot for both their lives, as never jew nor christian knew the like: one turn'd my daughter, therefore he shall die; the other knows enough to have my life, therefore 'tis not requisite he should live. [ ] but are not both these wise men, to suppose that i will leave my house, my goods, and all, to fast and be well whipt? i'll none of that. now, friar barnardine, i come to you: i'll feast you, lodge you, give you fair [ ] words, and, after that, i and my trusty turk-- no more, but so: it must and shall be done. [ ] enter ithamore. ithamore, tell me, is the friar asleep? ithamore. yes; and i know not what the reason is, do what i can, he will not strip himself, nor go to bed, but sleeps in his own clothes: i fear me he mistrusts what we intend. barabas. no; 'tis an order which the friars use: yet, if he knew our meanings, could he scape? ithamore. no, none can hear him, cry he ne'er so loud. barabas. why, true; therefore did i place him there: the other chambers open towards the street. ithamore. you loiter, master; wherefore stay we thus? o, how i long to see him shake his heels! barabas. come on, sirrah: off with your girdle; make a handsome noose.-- [ithamore takes off his girdle, and ties a noose on it.] friar, awake! [ ] [they put the noose round the friar's neck.] friar barnardine. what, do you mean to strangle me? ithamore. yes, 'cause you use to confess. barabas. blame not us, but the proverb,--confess and be hanged.--pull hard. friar barnardine. what, will you have [ ] my life? barabas. pull hard, i say.--you would have had my goods. ithamore. ay, and our lives too:--therefore pull amain. [they strangle the friar.] 'tis neatly done, sir; here's no print at all. barabas. then is it as it should be. take him up. ithamore. nay, master, be ruled by me a little. [takes the body, sets it upright against the wall, and puts a staff in its hand.] so, let him lean upon his staff; excellent! he stands as if he were begging of bacon. barabas. who would not think but that this friar liv'd? what time o' night is't now, sweet ithamore? ithamore. towards one. [ ] barabas. then will not jacomo be long from hence. [exeunt.] enter friar jacomo. [ ] friar jacomo. this is the hour wherein i shall proceed; [ ] o happy hour, wherein i shall convert an infidel, and bring his gold into our treasury! but soft! is not this barnardine? it is; and, understanding i should come this way, stands here o' purpose, meaning me some wrong, and intercept my going to the jew.-- barnardine! wilt thou not speak? thou think'st i see thee not; away, i'd wish thee, and let me go by: no, wilt thou not? nay, then, i'll force my way; and, see, a staff stands ready for the purpose. as thou lik'st that, stop me another time! [takes the staff, and strikes down the body.] enter barabas and ithamore. barabas. why, how now, jacomo! what hast thou done? friar jacomo. why, stricken him that would have struck at me. barabas. who is it? barnardine! now, out, alas, he is slain! ithamore. ay, master, he's slain; look how his brains drop out on's [ ] nose. friar jacomo. good sirs, i have done't: but nobody knows it but you two; i may escape. barabas. so might my man and i hang with you for company. ithamore. no; let us bear him to the magistrates. friar jacomo. good barabas, let me go. barabas. no, pardon me; the law must have his course: i must be forc'd to give in evidence, that, being importun'd by this barnardine to be a christian, i shut him out, and there he sate: now i, to keep my word, and give my goods and substance to your house, was up thus early, with intent to go unto your friary, because you stay'd. ithamore. fie upon 'em! master, will you turn christian, when holy friars turn devils and murder one another? barabas. no; for this example i'll remain a jew: heaven bless me! what, a friar a murderer! when shall you see a jew commit the like? ithamore. why, a turk could ha' done no more. barabas. to-morrow is the sessions; you shall to it.-- come, ithamore, let's help to take him hence. friar jacomo. villains, i am a sacred person; touch me not. barabas. the law shall touch you; we'll but lead you, we: 'las, i could weep at your calamity!-- take in the staff too, for that must be shown: law wills that each particular be known. [exeunt.] enter bellamira [ ] and pilia-borza. bellamira. pilia-borza, didst thou meet with ithamore? pilia-borza. i did. bellamira. and didst thou deliver my letter? pilia-borza. i did. bellamira. and what thinkest thou? will he come? pilia-borza. i think so: and yet i cannot tell; for, at the reading of the letter, he looked like a man of another world. bellamira. why so? pilia-borza. that such a base slave as he should be saluted by such a tall [ ] man as i am, from such a beautiful dame as you. bellamira. and what said he? pilia-borza. not a wise word; only gave me a nod, as who should say, "is it even so?" and so i left him, being driven to a non-plus at the critical aspect of my terrible countenance. bellamira. and where didst meet him? pilia-borza. upon mine own free-hold, within forty foot of the gallows, conning his neck-verse, [ ] i take it, looking of [ ] a friar's execution; whom i saluted with an old hempen proverb, hodie tibi, cras mihi, and so i left him to the mercy of the hangman: but, the exercise [ ] being done, see where he comes. enter ithamore. ithamore. i never knew a man take his death so patiently as this friar; he was ready to leap off ere the halter was about his neck; and, when the hangman had put on his hempen tippet, he made such haste to his prayers, as if he had had another cure to serve. well, go whither he will, i'll be none of his followers in haste: and, now i think on't, going to the execution, a fellow met me with a muschatoes [ ] like a raven's wing, and a dagger with a hilt like a warming-pan; and he gave me a letter from one madam bellamira, saluting me in such sort as if he had meant to make clean my boots with his lips; the effect was, that i should come to her house: i wonder what the reason is; it may be she sees more in me than i can find in myself; for she writes further, that she loves me ever since she saw me; and who would not requite such love? here's her house; and here she comes; and now would i were gone! i am not worthy to look upon her. pilia-borza. this is the gentleman you writ to. ithamore. gentleman! he flouts me: what gentry can be in a poor turk of tenpence? [ ] i'll be gone. [aside.] bellamira. is't not a sweet-faced youth, pilia? ithamore. again, sweet youth! [aside.]--did not you, sir, bring the sweet youth a letter? pilia-borza. i did, sir, and from this gentlewoman, who, as myself and the rest of the family, stand or fall at your service. bellamira. though woman's modesty should hale me back, i can withhold no longer: welcome, sweet love. ithamore. now am i clean, or rather foully, out of the way. [aside.] bellamira. whither so soon? ithamore. i'll go steal some money from my master to make me handsome [aside].--pray, pardon me; i must go see a ship discharged. bellamira. canst thou be so unkind to leave me thus? pilia-borza. an ye did but know how she loves you, sir! ithamore. nay, i care not how much she loves me.--sweet bellamira, would i had my master's wealth for thy sake! pilia-borza. and you can have it, sir, an if you please. ithamore. if 'twere above ground, i could, and would have it; but he hides and buries it up, as partridges do their eggs, under the earth. pilia-borza. and is't not possible to find it out? ithamore. by no means possible. bellamira. what shall we do with this base villain, then? [aside to pilia-borza.] pilia-borza. let me alone; do but you speak him fair.-- [aside to her.] but you know [ ] some secrets of the jew, which, if they were reveal'd, would do him harm. ithamore. ay, and such as--go to, no more! i'll make him [ ] send me half he has, and glad he scapes so too: i'll write unto him; we'll have money straight. pilia-borza. send for a hundred crowns at least. ithamore. ten hundred thousand crowns.--[writing] master barabas,-- pilia-borza. write not so submissively, but threatening him. ithamore. [writing] sirrah barabas, send me a hundred crowns. pilia-borza. put in two hundred at least. ithamore. [writing] i charge thee send me three hundred by this bearer, and this shall be your warrant: if you do not--no more, but so. pilia-borza. tell him you will confess. ithamore. [writing] otherwise i'll confess all.-- vanish, and return in a twinkle. pilia-borza. let me alone; i'll use him in his kind. ithamore. hang him, jew! [exit pilia-borza with the letter.] bellamira. now, gentle ithamore, lie in my lap.-- where are my maids? provide a cunning [ ] banquet; send to the merchant, bid him bring me silks; shall ithamore, my love, go in such rags? ithamore. and bid the jeweller come hither too. bellamira. i have no husband; sweet, i'll marry thee. ithamore. content: but we will leave this paltry land, and sail from hence to greece, to lovely greece;-- i'll be thy jason, thou my golden fleece;-- where painted carpets o'er the meads are hurl'd, and bacchus' vineyards overspread the world; where woods and forests go in goodly green;-- i'll be adonis, thou shalt be love's queen;-- the meads, the orchards, and the primrose-lanes, instead of sedge and reed, bear sugar-canes: thou in those groves, by dis above, shalt live with me, and be my love. [ ] bellamira. whither will i not go with gentle ithamore? re-enter pilia-borza. ithamore. how now! hast thou the gold [?] pilia-borza. yes. ithamore. but came it freely? did the cow give down her milk freely? pilia-borza. at reading of the letter, he stared and stamped, and turned aside: i took him by the beard, [ ] and looked upon him thus; told him he were best to send it: then he hugged and embraced me. ithamore. rather for fear than love. pilia-borza. then, like a jew, he laughed and jeered, and told me he loved me for your sake, and said what a faithful servant you had been. ithamore. the more villain he to keep me thus: here's goodly 'parel, is there not? pilia-borza. to conclude, he gave me ten crowns. [delivers the money to ithamore.] ithamore. but ten? i'll not leave him worth a grey groat. give me a ream of paper: we'll have a kingdom of gold for't. [ ] pilia-borza. write for five hundred crowns. ithamore. [writing] sirrah jew, as you love your life, send me five hundred crowns, and give the bearer a hundred.--tell him i must have't. pilia-borza. i warrant, your worship shall have't. ithamore. and, if he ask why i demand so much, tell him i scorn to write a line under a hundred crowns. pilia-borza. you'd make a rich poet, sir. i am gone. [exit with the letter.] ithamore. take thou the money; spend it for my sake. bellamira. 'tis not thy money, but thyself i weigh: thus bellamira esteems of gold; [throws it aside.] but thus of thee. [kisses him.] ithamore. that kiss again!--she runs division [ ] of my lips. what an eye she casts on me! it twinkles like a star. [aside.] bellamira. come, my dear love, let's in and sleep together. ithamore. o, that ten thousand nights were put in one, that we might sleep seven years together afore we wake! bellamira. come, amorous wag, first banquet, and then sleep. [exeunt.] enter barabas, [ ] reading a letter. barabas. barabas, send me three hundred crowns;-- plain barabas! o, that wicked courtezan! he was not wont to call me barabas;-- or else i will confess;--ay, there it goes: but, if i get him, coupe de gorge for that. he sent a shaggy, tatter'd, [ ] staring slave, that, when he speaks, draws out his grisly beard, and winds it twice or thrice about his ear; whose face has been a grind-stone for men's swords; his hands are hack'd, some fingers cut quite off; who, when he speaks, grunts like a hog, and looks like one that is employ'd in catzery [ ] and cross-biting; [ ] such a rogue as is the husband to a hundred whores; and i by him must send three hundred crowns. well, my hope is, he will not stay there still; and, when he comes--o, that he were but here! enter pilia-borza. pilia-borza. jew, i must ha' more gold. barabas. why, want'st thou any of thy tale? [ ] pilia-borza. no; but three hundred will not serve his turn. barabas. not serve his turn, sir! pilia-borza. no, sir; and therefore i must have five hundred more. barabas. i'll rather---- pilia-borza. o, good words, sir, and send it you were best! see, there's his letter. [gives letter.] barabas. might he not as well come as send? pray, bid him come and fetch it: what he writes for you, [ ] ye shall have straight. pilia-borza. ay, and the rest too, or else---- barabas. i must make this villain away [aside].--please you dine with me, sir--and you shall be most heartily poisoned. [aside.] pilia-borza. no, god-a-mercy. shall i have these crowns? barabas. i cannot do it; i have lost my keys. pilia-borza. o, if that be all, i can pick ope your locks. barabas. or climb up to my counting-house window: you know my meaning. pilia-borza. i know enough, and therefore talk not to me of your counting-house. the gold! or know, jew, it is in my power to hang thee. barabas. i am betray'd.-- [aside.] 'tis not five hundred crowns that i esteem; i am not mov'd at that: this angers me, that he, who knows i love him as myself, should write in this imperious vein. why, sir, you know i have no child, and unto whom should i leave all, but unto ithamore? pilia-borza. here's many words, but no crowns: the crowns! barabas. commend me to him, sir, most humbly, and unto your good mistress as unknown. pilia-borza. speak, shall i have 'em, sir? barabas. sir, here they are.-- [gives money.] o, that i should part [ ] with so much gold!-- [aside.] here, take 'em, fellow, with as good a will---- as i would see thee hang'd [aside]. o, love stops my breath! never lov'd man servant as i do ithamore. pilia-borza. i know it, sir. barabas. pray, when, sir, shall i see you at my house? pilia-borza. soon enough to your cost, sir. fare you well. [exit.] barabas. nay, to thine own cost, villain, if thou com'st! was ever jew tormented as i am? to have a shag-rag knave to come [force from me] three hundred crowns, and then five hundred crowns! well; i must seek a means to rid [ ] 'em all, and presently; for in his villany he will tell all he knows, and i shall die for't. i have it: i will in some disguise go see the slave, and how the villain revels with my gold. [exit.] enter bellamira, [ ] ithamore, and pilia-borza. bellamira. i'll pledge thee, love, and therefore drink it off. ithamore. say'st thou me so? have at it! and do you hear? [whispers to her.] bellamira. go to, it shall be so. ithamore. of [ ] that condition i will drink it up: here's to thee. bellamira. [ ] nay, i'll have all or none. ithamore. there, if thou lov'st me, do not leave a drop. bellamira. love thee! fill me three glasses. ithamore. three and fifty dozen: i'll pledge thee. pilia-borza. knavely spoke, and like a knight-at-arms. ithamore. hey, rivo castiliano! [ ] a man's a man. bellamira. now to the jew. ithamore. ha! to the jew; and send me money he [ ] were best. pilia-borza. what wouldst thou do, if he should send thee none? ithamore. do nothing: but i know what i know; he's a murderer. bellamira. i had not thought he had been so brave a man. ithamore. you knew mathias and the governor's son; he and i killed 'em both, and yet never touched 'em. pilia-borza. o, bravely done! ithamore. i carried the broth that poisoned the nuns; and he and i, snicle hand too fast, strangled a friar. [ ] bellamira. you two alone? ithamore. we two; and 'twas never known, nor never shall be for me. pilia-borza. this shall with me unto the governor. [aside to bellamira.] bellamira. and fit it should: but first let's ha' more gold.-- [aside to pilia-borza.] come, gentle ithamore, lie in my lap. ithamore. love me little, love me long: let music rumble, whilst i in thy incony [ ] lap do tumble. enter barabas, disguised as a french musician, with a lute, and a nosegay in his hat. bellamira. a french musician!--come, let's hear your skill. barabas. must tuna my lute for sound, twang, twang, first. ithamore. wilt drink, frenchman? here's to thee with a--pox on this drunken hiccup! barabas. gramercy, monsieur. bellamira. prithee, pilia-borza, bid the fiddler give me the posy in his hat there. pilia-borza. sirrah, you must give my mistress your posy. barabas. a votre commandement, madame. [giving nosegay.] bellamira. how sweet, my ithamore, the flowers smell! ithamore. like thy breath, sweetheart; no violet like 'em. pilia-borza. foh! methinks they stink like a hollyhock. [ ] barabas. so, now i am reveng'd upon 'em all: the scent thereof was death; i poison'd it. [aside.] ithamore. play, fiddler, or i'll cut your cat's guts into chitterlings. barabas. pardonnez moi, be no in tune yet: so, now, now all be in. ithamore. give him a crown, and fill me out more wine. pilia-borza. there's two crowns for thee: play. [giving money.] barabas. how liberally the villain gives me mine own gold! [aside, and then plays.] pilia-borza. methinks he fingers very well. barabas. so did you when you stole my gold. [aside.] pilia-borza. how swift he runs! barabas. you run swifter when you threw my gold out of my window. [aside.] bellamira. musician, hast been in malta long? barabas. two, three, four month, madam. ithamore. dost not know a jew, one barabas? barabas. very mush: monsieur, you no be his man? pilia-borza. his man! ithamore. i scorn the peasant: tell him so. barabas. he knows it already. [aside.] ithamore. 'tis a strange thing of that jew, he lives upon pickled grasshoppers and sauced mushrooms. [ ] barabas. what a slave's this! the governor feeds not as i do. [aside.] ithamore. he never put on clean shirt since he was circumcised. barabas. o rascal! i change myself twice a-day. [aside.] ithamore. the hat he wears, judas left under the elder when he hanged himself. [ ] barabas. 'twas sent me for a present from the great cham. [aside.] pilia-borza. a nasty [ ] slave he is.--whither now, fiddler? barabas. pardonnez moi, monsieur; me [ ] be no well. pilia-borza. farewell, fiddler [exit barabas.] one letter more to the jew. bellamira. prithee, sweet love, one more, and write it sharp. ithamore. no, i'll send by word of mouth now. --bid him deliver thee a thousand crowns, by the same token that the nuns loved rice, that friar barnardine slept in his own clothes; any of 'em will do it. pilia-borza. let me alone to urge it, now i know the meaning. ithamore. the meaning has a meaning. come, let's in: to undo a jew is charity, and not sin. [exeunt.] act v. enter ferneze, [ ] knights, martin del bosco, and officers. ferneze. now, gentlemen, betake you to your arms, and see that malta be well fortified; and it behoves you to be resolute; for calymath, having hover'd here so long, will win the town, or die before the walls. first knight. and die he shall; for we will never yield. enter bellamira and pilia-borza. bellamira. o, bring us to the governor! ferneze. away with her! she is a courtezan. bellamira. whate'er i am, yet, governor, hear me speak: i bring thee news by whom thy son was slain: mathias did it not; it was the jew. pilia-borza. who, besides the slaughter of these gentlemen, poison'd his own daughter and the nuns, strangled a friar, and i know not what mischief beside. ferneze. had we but proof of this---- bellamira. strong proof, my lord: his man's now at my lodging, that was his agent; he'll confess it all. ferneze. go fetch him [ ] straight [exeunt officers]. i always fear'd that jew. re-enter officers with barabas and ithamore. barabas. i'll go alone; dogs, do not hale me thus. ithamore. nor me neither; i cannot out-run you, constable.--o, my belly! barabas. one dram of powder more had made all sure: what a damn'd slave was i! [aside.] ferneze. make fires, heat irons, let the rack be fetch'd. first knight. nay, stay, my lord; 't may be he will confess. barabas. confess! what mean you, lords? who should confess? ferneze. thou and thy turk; 'twas that slew my son. ithamore. guilty, my lord, i confess. your son and mathias were both contracted unto abigail: [he] forged a counterfeit challenge. barabas. who carried that challenge? ithamore. i carried it, i confess; but who writ it? marry, even he that strangled barnardine, poisoned the nuns and his own daughter. ferneze. away with him! his sight is death to me. barabas. for what, you men of malta? hear me speak. she is a courtezan, and he a thief, and he my bondman: let me have law; for none of this can prejudice my life. ferneze. once more, away with him!--you shall have law. barabas. devils, do your worst!--i['ll] live in spite of you.-- [aside.] as these have spoke, so be it to their souls!-- i hope the poison'd flowers will work anon. [aside.] [exeunt officers with barabas and ithamore; bellamira, and pilia-borza.] enter katharine. katharine. was my mathias murder'd by the jew? ferneze, 'twas thy son that murder'd him. ferneze. be patient, gentle madam: it was he; he forg'd the daring challenge made them fight. katharine. where is the jew? where is that murderer? ferneze. in prison, till the law has pass'd on him. re-enter first officer. first officer. my lord, the courtezan and her man are dead; so is the turk and barabas the jew. ferneze. dead! first officer. dead, my lord, and here they bring his body. martin del bosco. this sudden death of his is very strange. re-enter officers, carrying barabas as dead. ferneze. wonder not at it, sir; the heavens are just; their deaths were like their lives; then think not of 'em.-- since they are dead, let them be buried: for the jew's body, throw that o'er the walls, to be a prey for vultures and wild beasts.-- so, now away and fortify the town. exeunt all, leaving barabas on the floor. [ ] barabas. [rising] what, all alone! well fare, sleepy drink! i'll be reveng'd on this accursed town; for by my means calymath shall enter in: i'll help to slay their children and their wives, to fire the churches, pull their houses down, take my goods too, and seize upon my lands. i hope to see the governor a slave, and, rowing in a galley, whipt to death. enter calymath, bassoes, [ ] and turks. calymath. whom have we there? a spy? barabas. yes, my good lord, one that can spy a place where you may enter, and surprize the town: my name is barabas; i am a jew. calymath. art thou that jew whose goods we heard were sold for tribute-money? barabas. the very same, my lord: and since that time they have hir'd a slave, my man, to accuse me of a thousand villanies: i was imprisoned, but scap [']d their hands. calymath. didst break prison? barabas. no, no: i drank of poppy and cold mandrake juice; and being asleep, belike they thought me dead, and threw me o'er the walls: so, or how else, the jew is here, and rests at your command. calymath. 'twas bravely done: but tell me, barabas, canst thou, as thou report'st, make malta ours? barabas. fear not, my lord; for here, against the trench, [ ] the rock is hollow, and of purpose digg'd, to make a passage for the running streams and common channels [ ] of the city. now, whilst you give assault unto the walls, i'll lead five hundred soldiers through the vault, and rise with them i' the middle of the town, open the gates for you to enter in; and by this means the city is your own. calymath. if this be true, i'll make thee governor. barabas. and, if it be not true, then let me die. calymath. thou'st doom'd thyself.--assault it presently. [exeunt.] alarums within. enter calymath, [ ] bassoes, turks, and barabas; with ferneze and knights prisoners. calymath. now vail [ ] your pride, you captive christians, and kneel for mercy to your conquering foe: now where's the hope you had of haughty spain? ferneze, speak; had it not been much better to kept [ ] thy promise than be thus surpris'd? ferneze. what should i say? we are captives, and must yield. calymath. ay, villains, you must yield, and under turkish yokes shall groaning bear the burden of our ire:-- and, barabas, as erst we promis'd thee, for thy desert we make thee governor; use them at thy discretion. barabas. thanks, my lord. ferneze. o fatal day, to fall into the hands of such a traitor and unhallow'd jew! what greater misery could heaven inflict? calymath. 'tis our command:--and, barabas, we give, to guard thy person, these our janizaries: entreat [ ] them well, as we have used thee.-- and now, brave bassoes, [ ] come; we'll walk about the ruin'd town, and see the wreck we made.-- farewell, brave jew, farewell, great barabas! barabas. may all good fortune follow calymath! [exeunt calymath and bassoes.] and now, as entrance to our safety, to prison with the governor and these captains, his consorts and confederates. ferneze. o villain! heaven will be reveng'd on thee. barabas. away! no more; let him not trouble me. [exeunt turks with ferneze and knights.] thus hast thou gotten, [ ] by thy policy, no simple place, no small authority: i now am governor of malta; true,-- but malta hates me, and, in hating me, my life's in danger; and what boots it thee, poor barabas, to be the governor, whenas [ ] thy life shall be at their command? no, barabas, this must be look'd into; and, since by wrong thou gott'st authority, maintain it bravely by firm policy; at least, unprofitably lose it not; for he that liveth in authority, and neither gets him friends nor fills his bags, lives like the ass that aesop speaketh of, that labours with a load of bread and wine, and leaves it off to snap on thistle-tops: but barabas will be more circumspect. begin betimes; occasion's bald behind: slip not thine opportunity, for fear too late thou seek'st for much, but canst not compass it.-- within here! [ ] enter ferneze, with a guard. ferneze. my lord? barabas. ay, lord; thus slaves will learn. now, governor,--stand by there, wait within,-- [exeunt guard.] this is the reason that i sent for thee: thou seest thy life and malta's happiness are at my arbitrement; and barabas at his discretion may dispose of both: now tell me, governor, and plainly too, what think'st thou shall become of it and thee? ferneze. this, barabas; since things are in thy power, i see no reason but of malta's wreck, nor hope of thee but extreme cruelty: nor fear i death, nor will i flatter thee. barabas. governor, good words; be not so furious 'tis not thy life which can avail me aught; yet you do live, and live for me you shall: and as for malta's ruin, think you not 'twere slender policy for barabas to dispossess himself of such a place? for sith, [ ] as once you said, within this isle, in malta here, that i have got my goods, and in this city still have had success, and now at length am grown your governor, yourselves shall see it shall not be forgot; for, as a friend not known but in distress, i'll rear up malta, now remediless. ferneze. will barabas recover malta's loss? will barabas be good to christians? barabas. what wilt thou give me, governor, to procure a dissolution of the slavish bands wherein the turk hath yok'd your land and you? what will you give me if i render you the life of calymath, surprise his men, and in an out-house of the city shut his soldiers, till i have consum'd 'em all with fire? what will you give him that procureth this? ferneze. do but bring this to pass which thou pretendest, deal truly with us as thou intimatest, and i will send amongst the citizens, and by my letters privately procure great sums of money for thy recompense: nay, more, do this, and live thou governor still. barabas. nay, do thou this, ferneze, and be free: governor, i enlarge thee; live with me; go walk about the city, see thy friends: tush, send not letters to 'em; go thyself, and let me see what money thou canst make: here is my hand that i'll set malta free; and thus we cast [ ] it: to a solemn feast i will invite young selim calymath, where be thou present, only to perform one stratagem that i'll impart to thee, wherein no danger shall betide thy life, and i will warrant malta free for ever. ferneze. here is my hand; believe me, barabas, i will be there, and do as thou desirest. when is the time? barabas. governor, presently; for calymath, when he hath view'd the town, will take his leave, and sail toward ottoman. ferneze. then will i, barabas, about this coin, and bring it with me to thee in the evening. barabas. do so; but fail not: now farewell, ferneze:-- [exit ferneze.] and thus far roundly goes the business: thus, loving neither, will i live with both, making a profit of my policy; and he from whom my most advantage comes, shall be my friend. this is the life we jews are us'd to lead; and reason too, for christians do the like. well, now about effecting this device; first, to surprise great selim's soldiers, and then to make provision for the feast, that at one instant all things may be done: my policy detests prevention. to what event my secret purpose drives, i know; and they shall witness with their lives. [exeunt.] enter calymath and bassoes. [ ] calymath. thus have we view'd the city, seen the sack, and caus'd the ruins to be new-repair'd, which with our bombards' shot and basilisk[s] [ ] we rent in sunder at our entry: and, now i see the situation, and how secure this conquer'd island stands, environ'd with the mediterranean sea, strong-countermin'd with other petty isles, and, toward calabria, [ ] back'd by sicily (where syracusian dionysius reign'd), two lofty turrets that command the town, i wonder how it could be conquer'd thus. enter a messenger. messenger. from barabas, malta's governor, i bring a message unto mighty calymath: hearing his sovereign was bound for sea, to sail to turkey, to great ottoman, he humbly would entreat your majesty to come and see his homely citadel, and banquet with him ere thou leav'st the isle. calymath. to banquet with him in his citadel! i fear me, messenger, to feast my train within a town of war so lately pillag'd, will be too costly and too troublesome: yet would i gladly visit barabas, for well has barabas deserv'd of us. messenger. selim, for that, thus saith the governor,-- that he hath in [his] store a pearl so big, so precious, and withal so orient, as, be it valu'd but indifferently, the price thereof will serve to entertain selim and all his soldiers for a month; therefore he humbly would entreat your highness not to depart till he has feasted you. calymath. i cannot feast my men in malta-walls, except he place his tables in the streets. messenger. know, selim, that there is a monastery which standeth as an out-house to the town; there will he banquet them; but thee at home, with all thy bassoes and brave followers. calymath. well, tell the governor we grant his suit; we'll in this summer-evening feast with him. messenger. i shall, my lord. [exit.] calymath. and now, bold bassoes, let us to our tents, and meditate how we may grace us best, to solemnize our governor's great feast. [exeunt.] enter ferneze, [ ] knights, and martin del bosco. ferneze. in this, my countrymen, be rul'd by me: have special care that no man sally forth till you shall hear a culverin discharg'd by him that bears the linstock, [ ] kindled thus; then issue out and come to rescue me, for happily i shall be in distress, or you released of this servitude. first knight. rather than thus to live as turkish thralls, what will we not adventure? ferneze. on, then; be gone. knights. farewell, grave governor. [exeunt, on one side, knights and martin del bosco; on the other, ferneze.] enter, above, [ ] barabas, with a hammer, very busy; and carpenters. barabas. how stand the cords? how hang these hinges? fast? are all the cranes and pulleys sure? first carpenter. [ ] all fast. barabas. leave nothing loose, all levell'd to my mind. why, now i see that you have art, indeed: there, carpenters, divide that gold amongst you; [giving money.] go, swill in bowls of sack and muscadine; down to the cellar, taste of all my wines. first carpenter. we shall, my lord, and thank you. [exeunt carpenters.] barabas. and, if you like them, drink your fill and die; for, so i live, perish may all the world! now, selim calymath, return me word that thou wilt come, and i am satisfied. enter messenger. now, sirrah; what, will he come? messenger. he will; and has commanded all his men to come ashore, and march through malta-streets, that thou mayst feast them in thy citadel. barabas. then now are all things as my wish would have 'em; there wanteth nothing but the governor's pelf; and see, he brings it. enter ferneze. now, governor, the sum? ferneze. with free consent, a hundred thousand pounds. barabas. pounds say'st thou, governor? well, since it is no more, i'll satisfy myself with that; nay, keep it still, for, if i keep not promise, trust not me: and, governor, now partake my policy. first, for his army, they are sent before, enter'd the monastery, and underneath in several places are field-pieces pitch'd, bombards, whole barrels full of gunpowder, that on the sudden shall dissever it, and batter all the stones about their ears, whence none can possibly escape alive: now, as for calymath and his consorts, here have i made a dainty gallery, the floor whereof, this cable being cut, doth fall asunder, so that it doth sink into a deep pit past recovery. here, hold that knife; and, when thou seest he comes, [throws down a knife.] and with his bassoes shall be blithely set, a warning-piece shall be shot off [ ] from the tower, to give thee knowledge when to cut the cord, and fire the house. say, will not this be brave? ferneze. o, excellent! here, hold thee, barabas; i trust thy word; take what i promis'd thee. barabas. no, governor; i'll satisfy thee first; thou shalt not live in doubt of any thing. stand close, for here they come. [ferneze retires.] why, is not this a kingly kind of trade, to purchase towns by treachery, and sell 'em by deceit? now tell me, worldlings, underneath the sun [ ] if greater falsehood ever has been done? enter calymath and bassoes. calymath. come, my companion-bassoes: see, i pray, how busy barabas is there above to entertain us in his gallery: let us salute him.--save thee, barabas! barabas. welcome, great calymath! ferneze. how the slave jeers at him! [aside.] barabas. will't please thee, mighty selim calymath, to ascend our homely stairs? calymath. ay, barabas.-- come, bassoes, ascend. [ ] ferneze. [coming forward] stay, calymath; for i will shew thee greater courtesy than barabas would have afforded thee. knight. [within] sound a charge there! [a charge sounded within: ferneze cuts the cord; the floor of the gallery gives way, and barabas falls into a caldron placed in a pit. enter knights and martin del bosco. [ ] calymath. how now! what means this? barabas. help, help me, christians, help! ferneze. see, calymath! this was devis'd for thee. calymath. treason, treason! bassoes, fly! ferneze. no, selim, do not fly: see his end first, and fly then if thou canst. barabas. o, help me, selim! help me, christians! governor, why stand you all so pitiless? ferneze. should i in pity of thy plaints or thee, accursed barabas, base jew, relent? no, thus i'll see thy treachery repaid, but wish thou hadst behav'd thee otherwise. barabas. you will not help me, then? ferneze. no, villain, no. barabas. and, villains, know you cannot help me now.-- then, barabas, breathe forth thy latest fate, and in the fury of thy torments strive to end thy life with resolution.-- know, governor, 'twas i that slew thy son,-- i fram'd the challenge that did make them meet: know, calymath, i aim'd thy overthrow: and, had i but escap'd this stratagem, i would have brought confusion on you all, damn'd christian [ ] dogs, and turkish infidels! but now begins the extremity of heat to pinch me with intolerable pangs: die, life! fly, soul! tongue, curse thy fill, and die! [dies.] calymath. tell me, you christians, what doth this portend? ferneze. this train [ ] he laid to have entrapp'd thy life; now, selim, note the unhallow'd deeds of jews; thus he determin'd to have handled thee, but i have rather chose to save thy life. calymath. was this the banquet he prepar'd for us? let's hence, lest further mischief be pretended. [ ] ferneze. nay, selim, stay; for, since we have thee here, we will not let thee part so suddenly: besides, if we should let thee go, all's one, for with thy galleys couldst thou not get hence, without fresh men to rig and furnish them. calymath. tush, governor, take thou no care for that; my men are all aboard, and do attend my coming there by this. ferneze. why, heard'st thou not the trumpet sound a charge? calymath. yes, what of that? ferneze. why, then the house was fir'd, blown up, and all thy soldiers massacred. calymath. o, monstrous treason! ferneze. a jew's courtesy; for he that did by treason work our fall, by treason hath deliver'd thee to us: know, therefore, till thy father hath made good the ruins done to malta and to us, thou canst not part; for malta shall be freed, or selim ne'er return to ottoman. calymath. nay, rather, christians, let me go to turkey, in person there to mediate [ ] your peace: to keep me here will naught advantage you. ferneze. content thee, calymath, here thou must stay, and live in malta prisoner; for come all [ ] the world to rescue thee, so will we guard us now, as sooner shall they drink the ocean dry, than conquer malta, or endanger us. so, march away; and let due praise be given neither to fate nor fortune, but to heaven. [exeunt.] footnotes: [footnote : heywood dedicates the first part of the iron age (printed ) "to my worthy and much respected friend, mr. thomas hammon, of grayes inne, esquire."] [footnote : tho. heywood: the well-known dramatist.] [footnote : censures: i.e. judgments.] [footnote : bin: i.e. been.] [footnote : best of poets: "marlo." marg. note in old ed.] [footnote : best of actors: "allin." marg. note in old. ed.--any account of the celebrated actor, edward alleyn, the founder of dulwich college, would be superfluous here.] [footnote : in hero and leander, &c.: the meaning is--the one (marlowe) gained a lasting memory by being the author of hero and leander; while the other (alleyn) wan the attribute of peerless by playing the parts of tamburlaine, the jew of malta, &c.--the passage happens to be mispointed in the old ed. thus, "in hero and leander, one did gaine a lasting memorie: in tamberlaine, this jew, with others many: th' other wan," &c. and hence mr. collier, in his hist. of eng. dram. poet. iii. , understood the words, "in tamburlaine, this jew, with others many," as applying to marlowe: he afterwards, however, in his memoirs of alleyn, p. , suspected that the punctuation of the old ed. might be wrong,--which it doubtless is.] [footnote : him: "perkins." marg. note in old ed.--"this was richard perkins, one of the performers belonging to the cock-pit theatre in drury-lane. his name is printed among those who acted in hannibal and scipio by nabbes, the wedding by shirley, and the fair maid of the west by heywood. after the play-houses were shut up on account of the confusion arising from the civil wars, perkins and sumner, who belonged to the same house, lived together at clerkenwell, where they died and were buried. they both died some years before the restoration. see the dialogue on plays and players [dodsley's old plays, . clii., last ed.]." reed (apud dodsley's o. p.). perkins acted a prominent part in webster's white devil, when it was first brought on the stage, --perhaps brachiano (for burbadge, who was celebrated in brachiano, does not appear to have played it originally): in a notice to the reader at the end of that tragedy webster says; "in particular i must remember the well-approved industry of my friend master perkins, and confess the worth of his action did crown both the beginning and end." about - perkins belonged to the red bull theatre: about he joined the company at salisbury court: see webster's works, note, p. , ed. dyce, .] [footnote : prize was play'd: this expression (so frequent in our early writers) is properly applied to fencing: see steevens's note on shakespeare's merry wives of windsor, act. i. sc. .] [footnote : no wagers laid: "wagers as to the comparative merits of rival actors in particular parts were not unfrequent of old," &c. collier (apud dodsley's o. p.). see my ed. of peele's works, i. x. ed. ; and collier's memoirs of alleyn, p. .] [footnote : the guise: "i.e. the duke of guise, who had been the principal contriver and actor in the horrid massacre of st. bartholomew's day, . he met with his deserved fate, being assassinated, by order of the french king, in ." reed (apud dodsley's o. p.). and see our author's massacre at paris.] [footnote : empery: old ed. "empire."] [footnote : the draco's: "i.e. the severe lawgiver of athens; 'whose statutes,' said demades, 'were not written with ink, but blood.'" steevens (apud dodsley's o. p.).--old ed. "the drancus."] [footnote : had: qy. "had but"?] [footnote : a lecture here: qy. "a lecture to you here"?] [footnote : act i.: the scenes of this play are not marked in the old ed.; nor in the present edition,--because occasionally (where the audience were to suppose a change of place, it was impossible to mark them.] [footnote : samnites: old ed. "samintes."] [footnote : silverlings: when steevens (apud dodsley's o. p.) called this "a diminutive, to express the jew's contempt of a metal inferior in value to gold," he did not know that the word occurs in scripture: "a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings." isaiah, vii. .--old ed. "siluerbings."] [footnote : tell: i.e. count.] [footnote : seld-seen: i.e. seldom-seen.] [footnote : into what corner peers my halcyon's bill?: "it was anciently believed that this bird (the king-fisher), if hung up, would vary with the wind, and by that means shew from what quarter it blew." steevens (apud dodsley's o. p.),--who refers to the note on the following passage of shakespeare's king lear, act ii. sc. ; "renege, affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks with every gale and vary of their masters," &c.] [footnote : custom them: "i.e. enter the goods they contain at the custom-house." steevens (apud dodsley's o. p.).] [footnote : but: old ed. "by."] [footnote : fraught: i.e. freight.] [footnote : scambled: i.e. scrambled. (coles gives in his dict. "to scamble, certatim arripere"; and afterwards renders "to scramble" by the very same latin words.)] [footnote : enter three jews: a change of scene is supposed here, --to a street or to the exchange.] [footnote : fond: i.e. foolish.] [footnote : aside: mr. collier (apud dodsley's o. p.), mistaking the purport of this stage-direction (which, of course, applies only to the words "unto myself"), proposed an alteration of the text.] [footnote : barabas. farewell, zaareth, &c.: old ed. "iew. doe so; farewell zaareth," &c. but "doe so" is evidently a stage- direction which has crept into the text, and which was intended to signify that the jews do "take their leaves" of barabas: --here the old ed. has no "exeunt."] [footnote : turk has: so the editor of .--old ed. "turkes haue": but see what follows.] [footnote : ego mihimet sum semper proximus: the words of terence are "proximus sum egomet mihi." andria, iv. . .] [footnote : exit: the scene is now supposed to be changed to the interior of the council-house.] [footnote : bassoes: i.e. bashaws.] [footnote : governor: old ed. "gouernours" here, and several times after in this scene.] [footnote : calymath. stand all aside, &c.: "the governor and the maltese knights here consult apart, while calymath gives these directions." collier (apud dodsley's o. p.).] [footnote : happily: i.e. haply.] [footnote : officer: old ed. "reader."] [footnote : denies: i.e. refuses.] [footnote : convertite: "i.e. convert, as in shakespeare's king john, act v. sc. ." steevens (apud dodsley's o. p.).] [footnote : then we'll take, &c.: in the old ed. this line forms a portion of the preceding speech.] [footnote : ecstasy: equivalent here to--violent emotion. "the word was anciently used to signify some degree of alienation of mind." collier (apud dodsley's o. p.).] [footnote : exeunt three jews: on their departure, the scene is supposed to be changed to a street near the house of barabas.] [footnote : reduce: if the right reading, is equivalent to--repair. but qy. "redress"?] [footnote : fond: "i.e. foolish." reed (apud dodsley's o. p.).] [footnote : portagues: portuguese gold coins, so called.] [footnote : sect: "i.e. sex. sect and sex were, in our ancient dramatic writers, used synonymously." reed (apud dodsley's o. p.).] [footnote : enter friar jacomo, &c.: old ed. "enter three fryars and two nuns:" but assuredly only two friars figure in this play.] [footnote : abb.: in the old ed. the prefix to this speech is " nun," and to the next speech but one "nun." that both speeches belong to the abbess is quite evident.] [footnote : sometimes: equivalent here (as frequently in our early writers) to--sometime.] [footnote : forgive me--: old ed. "giue me--"] [footnote : thus: after this word the old ed. has "Â�",--to signify, perhaps, the motion which barabas was to make here with his hand.] [footnote : forget not: qy. "forget it not"] [footnote : enter barabas, with a light: the scene is now before the house of barabas, which has been turned into a nunnery.] [footnote : thus, like the sad-presaging raven, that tolls the sick man's passport in her hollow beak mr. collier (hist. of eng. dram. poet. iii. ) remarks that these lines are cited (with some variation, and from memory, as the present play was not printed till ) in an epigram on t. deloney, in guilpin's skialetheia or the shadowe of truth, ,-- "like to the fatall ominous raven, which tolls the sick man's dirge within his hollow beake, so every paper-clothed post in poules to thee, deloney, mourningly doth speake," &c.] [footnote : of: i.e. on.] [footnote : wake: old ed. "walke."] [footnote : bueno para todos mi ganado no era: old ed. "birn para todos, my ganada no er."] [footnote : but stay: what star shines yonder in the east, &c. shakespeare, it would seem, recollected this passage, when he wrote,-- "but, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? it is the east, and juliet is the sun!" romeo and juliet, act ii. sc. .] [footnote : hermoso placer de los dineros: old ed. "hormoso piarer, de les denirch."] [footnote : enter ferneze, &c.: the scene is the interior of the council-house.] [footnote : entreat: i.e. treat.] [footnote : vail'd not: "i.e. did not strike or lower our flags." steevens (apud dodsley's o. p.).] [footnote : turkish: old ed. "spanish."] [footnote : luff'd and tack'd: old ed. "left, and tooke."] [footnote : stated: i.e. estated, established, stationed.] [footnote : enter officers, &c.: the scene being the market-place.] [footnote : poor villains, such as were: old ed. "such as poore villaines were", &c.] [footnote : into: i.e. unto: see note Â�, p. . [note |, p. , the first part of tamburlaine the great: "| into: used here (as the word was formerly often used) for unto."] [footnote : city: the preceding editors have not questioned this word, which i believe to be a misprint.] [footnote : foil'd]=filed, i.e. defiled.] [footnote : i'll have a saying to that nunnery: compare barnaby barnes's divils charter, ; "before i do this seruice, lie there, peece; for i must haue a saying to those bottels. he drinketh. true stingo; stingo, by mine honour.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * i must haue a saying to you, sir, i must, though you be prouided for his holines owne mouth; i will be bould to be the popes taster by his leaue." sig. k .] [footnote : plates: "i.e. pieces of silver money." steevens (apud dodsley's o. p.).--old ed. "plats."] [footnote : slave: to the speeches of this slave the old ed. prefixes "itha." and "ith.", confounding him with ithamore.] [footnote : lady vanity: so jonson in his fox, act ii. sc. ., "get you a cittern, lady vanity, and be a dealer with the virtuous man," &c.; and in his devil is an ass, act i. sc. .,-- "satan. what vice? pug. why, any: fraud, or covetousness, or lady vanity, or old iniquity."] [footnote : katharine: old ed. "mater."--the name of mathias's mother was, as we afterwards learn, katharine.] [footnote : stay: i.e. forbear, break off our conversation.] [footnote : was: qy. "was but"?] [footnote : o, brave, master: the modern editors strike out the comma after "brave", understanding that word as an epithet to "master": but compare what ithamore says to barabas in act iv.: "that's brave, master," p. , first col.] [footnote : your nose: an allusion to the large artificial nose, with which barabas was represented on the stage. see the passage cited from w. rowley's search for money, , in the account of marlowe and his writings.] [footnote : ure: i.e. use, practice.] [footnote : a-good: "i.e. in good earnest. tout de bon." reed (apud dodsley's o. p.).] [footnote : enter lodowick: a change of scene supposed here,--to the outside of barabas's house.] [footnote : vow love to him: old ed. "vow to loue him": but compare, in barabas's next speech but one, "and she vows love to him," &c.] [footnote : made sure: i.e. affianced.] [footnote : ludovico: old ed. "lodowicke."--in act iii. we have, "i fear she knows--'tis so--of my device in don mathias' and lodovico's deaths." p. , sec. col.] [footnote : happily: i.e. haply.] [footnote : unsoil'd: "perhaps we ought to read 'unfoil'd', consistently with what barabas said of her before under the figure of a jewel-- 'the diamond that i talk of ne'er was foil'd'." collier (apud dodsley's o. p.). but see that passage, p. , sec. col., and note ||. [i.e. note .]] [footnote : cross: i.e. piece of money (many coins being marked with a cross on one side).] [footnote : thou: old ed. "thee."] [footnote : resolv'd: "i.e. satisfied." gilchrist (apud dodsley's o. p.).] [footnote : enter bellamira: she appears, we may suppose, in a veranda or open portico of her house (that the scene is not the interior of the house, is proved by what follows).] [footnote : enter mathias. mathias. this is the place, &c.: the scene is some pert of the town, as barabas appears "above,"--in the balcony of a house. (he stood, of course, on what was termed the upper-stage.) old ed. thus; "enter mathias. math. this is the place, now abigail shall see whether mathias holds her deare or no. enter lodow. reading. math. what, dares the villain write in such base terms? lod. i did it, and reuenge it if thou dar'st."] [footnote : lodovico: old ed. "lodowicke."--see note *, p. . (i.e. note .)] [footnote : tall: i.e. bold, brave.] [footnote : what sight is this!: i.e. what a sight is this! our early writers often omit the article in such exclamations: compare shakespeare's julius caesar, act i. sc. , where casca says, "cassius, what night is this!" (after which words the modern editors improperly retain the interrogation-point of the first folio).] [footnote : lodovico: old ed. "lodowicke."] [footnote : these arms of mine shall be thy sepulchre: so in shakespeare's third part of king henry vi., act ii. sc. , the father says to the dead son whom he has killed in battle, "these arms of mine shall be thy winding-sheet; my heart, sweet boy, shall be thy sepulchre,"-- lines, let me add, not to be found in the true tragedie of richard duke of yorke, on which shakespeare formed that play.] [footnote : katharine: old ed. "katherina."] [footnote : enter ithamore: the scene a room in the house of barabas.] [footnote : held in hand: i.e. kept in expectation, having their hopes flattered.] [footnote : bottle-nosed: see note Â�, p. . [i.e. note .]] [footnote : jaques: old ed. "iaynes."] [footnote : sire: old ed. "sinne" (which, modernised to "sin", the editors retain, among many other equally obvious errors of the old copy).] [footnote : as: old ed. "and."] [footnote : enter barabas: the scene is still within the house of barabas; but some time is supposed to have elapsed since the preceding conference between abigail and friar jacomo.] [footnote : pretendeth: equivalent to portendeth; as in our author's first book of lucan, "and which (ay me) ever pretendeth ill," &c.] [footnote : self: old ed. "life" (the compositor's eye having caught "life" in the preceding line).] [footnote : 'less: old ed. "least."] [footnote : well said: see note *, p. .] (note *, p. , the second part of tamburlaine the great: "* well said: equivalent to--well done! as appears from innumerable passages of our early writers: see, for instances, my ed. of beaumont and fletcher's works, vol. i. , vol. ii. , vol. viii. .")] [footnote : the proverb says, &c.: a proverb as old as chaucer's time: see the squieres tale, v. , ed. tyrwhitt.] [footnote : batten: i.e. fatten.] [footnote : pot: old ed. "plot."] [footnote : thou shalt have broth by the eye: "perhaps he means--thou shalt see how the broth that is designed for thee is made, that no mischievous ingredients enter its composition. the passage is, however, obscure." steevens (apud dodsley's o. p.).--"by the eye" seems to be equivalent to--in abundance. compare the creed of piers ploughman: "grey grete-heded quenes with gold by the eighen." v. , ed. wright (who has no note on the expression): and beaumont and fletcher's knight of the burning pestle, act ii. sc. ; "here's money and gold by th' eye, my boy." in fletcher's beggars' bush, act iii. sc. , we find, "come, english beer, hostess, english beer by the belly!"] [footnote : in few: i.e. in a few words, in short.] [footnote : hebon: i.e. ebony, which was formerly supposed to be a deadly poison.] [footnote : enter ferneze, &c.: the scene is the interior of the council-house.] [footnote : basso: old ed. "bashaws" (the printer having added an s by mistake), and in the preceding stage-direction, and in the fifth speech of this scene, "bashaw": but in an earlier scene (see p. , first col.) we have "bassoes" (and see our author's tamburlaine, passim). (from p. , this play: "enter ferneze governor of malta, knights, and officers; met by calymath, and bassoes of the turk.")] [footnote : the resistless banks: i.e. the banks not able to resist.] [footnote : basilisks: see note ||, p. . (note ||, p. , the first part of tamburlaine the great:) "basilisks: pieces of ordnance so called. they were of immense size; see douce's illust. of shakespeare, i. ."] [footnote : enter friar jacomo, &c.: scene, the interior of the nunnery.] [footnote : convers'd with me: she alludes to her conversation with jacomo, p. , sec. col. (p. , second column, this play: "abigail. welcome, grave friar.--ithamore, be gone. exit ithamore. know, holy sir, i am bold to solicit thee. friar jacomo. wherein?")] [footnote : envied: i.e. hated.] [footnote : practice: i.e. artful contrivance, stratagem.] [footnote : crucified a child: a crime with which the jews were often charged. "tovey, in his anglia judaica, has given the several instances which are upon record of these charges against the jews; which he observes they were never accused of, but at such times as the king was manifestly in great want of money." reed (apud dodsley's o. p.).] [footnote : enter barabas, &c.: scene a street.] [footnote : to: which the editor of deliberately altered to "like," means--compared to, in comparison of.] [footnote : cazzo: old ed. "catho."--see florio's worlde of wordes (ital. and engl. dict.) ed. , in v.--"a petty oath, a cant exclamation, generally expressive, among the italian populace, who have it constantly in their mouth, of defiance or contempt." gifford's note on jonson's works, ii. .] [footnote : nose: see note Â�, p. . [i.e. note .]] [footnote : inmate: old ed. "inmates."] [footnote : the burden of my sins lie heavy, &c.: one of the modern editors altered "lie" to "lies": but examples of similar phraseology,--of a nominative singular followed by a plural verb when a plural genitive intervenes,--are common in our early writers; see notes on beaumont and fletcher's works, vol. v. , , vol. ix. , ed. dyce.] [footnote : sollars: "i.e. lofts, garrets." steevens (apud dodsley's o. p.).] [footnote : untold: i.e. uncounted.--old ed. "vnsold."] [footnote : barabas. this is mere frailty: brethren, be content.-- friar barnardine, go you with ithamore: you know my mind; let me alone with him.] friar jacomo. why does he go to thy house? let him be gone old ed. thus; "bar. this is meere frailty, brethren, be content. fryar barnardine goe you with ithimore. ith. you know my mind, let me alone with him; why does he goe to thy house, let him begone."] [footnote : the turk: "meaning ithamore." collier (apud dodsley's o. p.). compare the last line but one of barabas's next speech.] [footnote : covent: i.e. convent.] [footnote : therefore 'tis not requisite he should live: lest the reader should suspect that the author wrote, "therefore 'tis requisite he should not live," i may observe that we have had before (p. , first col.) a similar form of expression,-- "it is not necessary i be seen."] [footnote : fair: see note |||, p. . (' ' sic.) (note |||, p. , the first part of tamburlaine the great:) "in fair, &c.: here "fair" is to be considered as a dissyllable: compare, in the fourth act of our author's jew of malta, "i'll feast you, lodge you, give you fair words, and, after that," &c."] [footnote : shall be done: here a change of scene is supposed, to the interior of barabas's house.] [footnote : friar, awake: here, most probably, barabas drew a curtain, and discovered the sleeping friar.] [footnote : have: old ed. "saue."] [footnote : what time o' night is't now, sweet ithamore? ithamore. towards one: might be adduced, among other passages, to shew that the modern editors are right when they print in shakespeare's king john. act iii. sc. , "if the midnight bell did, with his iron tongue and brazen mouth, sound one into the drowsy ear of night," &c.] [footnote : enter friar jacomo: the scene is now before barabas's house,--the audience having had to suppose that the body of barnardine, which ithamore had set upright, was standing outside the door.] [footnote : proceed: seems to be used here as equivalent to--succeed.] [footnote : on's: i.e. of his.] [footnote : enter bellamira, &c.: the scene, as in p. , a veranda or open portico of bellamira's house. (p. , this play:) " enter bellamira. ( ) bellamira. since this town was besieg'd," etc.] [footnote : tall: which our early dramatists generally use in the sense of--bold, brave (see note Â�, p. ), [i.e. note : is here perhaps equivalent to--handsome. ("tall or semely." prompt. parv. ed. .)] [footnote : neck-verse: i.e. the verse (generally the beginning of the st psalm, miserere mei, &c.) read by a criminal to entitle him to benefit of clergy.] [footnote : of: i.e. on.] [footnote : exercise: i.e. sermon, preaching.] [footnote : with a muschatoes: i.e. with a pair of mustachios. the modern editors print "with mustachios," and "with a mustachios": but compare,-- "my tuskes more stiffe than are a cats muschatoes." s. rowley's noble spanish soldier, , sig. c. "his crow-black muchatoes." the black book,--middleton's works, v. , ed. dyce.] [footnote : turk of tenpence: an expression not unfrequently used by our early writers. so taylor in some verses on coriat; "that if he had a turke of tenpence bin," &c. workes, p. , ed. . and see note on middleton's works, iii. , ed. dyce.] [footnote : you know: qy. "you know, sir,"?] [footnote : i'll make him, &c.: old ed. thus: "i'le make him send me half he has, & glad he scapes so too. pen and inke: i'll write vnto him, we'le haue mony strait." there can be no doubt that the words "pen and inke" were a direction to the property-man to have those articles on the stage.] [footnote : cunning: i.e. skilfully prepared.--old ed. "running." (the maids are supposed to hear their mistress' orders within.)] [footnote : shalt live with me, and be my love: a line, slightly varied, of marlowe's well-known song. in the preceding line, the absurdity of "by dis above" is, of course, intentional.] [footnote : beard: old ed. "sterd."] [footnote : give me a ream of paper: we'll have a kingdom of gold for't: a quibble. realm was frequently written ream; and frequently (as the following passages shew), even when the former spelling was given, the l was not sounded; "vpon the siluer bosome of the streame first gan faire themis shake her amber locks, whom all the nimphs that waight on neptunes realme attended from the hollowe of the rocks." lodge's scillaes metamorphosis, &c. , sig. a . "how he may surest stablish his new conquerd realme, how of his glorie fardest to deriue the streame." a herings tayle, &c. , sig. d . "learchus slew his brother for the crowne; so did cambyses fearing much the dreame; antiochus, of infamous renowne, his brother slew, to rule alone the realme." mirour for magistrates, p. , ed. .] [footnote : runs division: "a musical term [of very common occurrence]." steevens (apud dodsley's o. p.).] [footnote : enter barabas: the scene certainly seems to be now the interior of barabas's house, notwithstanding what he presently says to pilia-borza (p. , sec. col.), "pray, when, sir, shall i see you at my house?"] [footnote : tatter'd: old ed. "totter'd": but in a passage of our author's edward the second the two earliest tos have "tatter'd robes":--and yet reed in a note on that passage (apud dodsley's old plays, where the reading of the third to, "tottered robes", is followed) boldly declares that "in every writer of this period the word was spelt tottered"! the truth is, it was spelt sometimes one way, sometimes the other.] [footnote : catzery: i.e. cheating, roguery. it is formed from catso (cazzo, see note *, p. i.e. note ), which our early writers used, not only as an exclamation, but as an opprobrious term.] [footnote : cross-biting: i.e. swindling (a cant term).--something has dropt out here.] [footnote : tale: i.e. reckoning.] [footnote : what he writes for you: i.e. the hundred crowns to be given to the bearer: see p. , sec. col. p. , second column, this play: "ithamore. [writing: sirrah jew, as you love your life, send me five hundred crowns, and give the bearer a hundred. --tell him i must have't."] [footnote : i should part: qy. "i e'er should part"?] [footnote : rid: i.e. despatch, destroy.] [footnote : enter bellamira, &c.: they are supposed to be sitting in a veranda or open portico of bellamira's house: see note *, p. . [i.e. note .] [footnote : of: i.e. on.] [footnote : bellamira.: old ed. "pil."] [footnote : rivo castiliano: the origin of this bacchanalian exclamation has not been discovered. rivo generally is used alone; but, among passages parallel to that of our text, is the following one (which has been often cited),-- "and ryuo will he cry and castile too." looke about you, , sig. l. . a writer in the westminster review, vol. xliii. , thinks that it "is a misprint for rico-castellano, meaning a spaniard belonging to the class of ricos hombres, and the phrase therefore is-- 'hey, noble castilian, a man's a man!' 'i can pledge like a man and drink like a man, my worthy trojan;' as some of our farce-writers would say." but the frequent occurrence of rivo in various authors proves that it is not a misprint.] [footnote : he: old ed. "you".] [footnote : and he and i, snicle hand too fast, strangled a friar] there is surely some corruption here. steevens (apud dodsley's o. p.) proposes to read "hand to fist". gilchrist (ibid.) observes, "a snicle is a north-country word for a noose, and when a person is hanged, they say he is snicled." see too, in v. snickle, forby's voc. of east anglia, and the craven dialect.--the rev. j. mitford proposes the following (very violent) alteration of this passage; "itha. i carried the broth that poisoned the nuns; and he and i-- pilia. two hands snickle-fast-- itha. strangled a friar."] [footnote : incony: i.e. fine, pretty, delicate.--old ed. "incoomy."] [footnote : they stink like a hollyhock: "this flower, however, has no offensive smell. steevens (apud dodsley's o. p.). its odour resembles that of the poppy.] [footnote : mushrooms: for this word (as, indeed, for most words) our early writers had no fixed spelling. here the old ed. has "mushrumbs": and in our author's edward the second, the tos have "mushrump."] [footnote : under the elder when he hanged himself: that judas hanged himself on an elder-tree, was a popular legend. nay, the very tree was exhibited to the curious in sir john mandeville's days: "and faste by, is zit the tree of eldre, that judas henge him self upon, for despeyt that he hadde, whan he solde and betrayed oure lorde." voiage and travaile, &c. p. . ed. . but, according to pulci, judas had recourse to a carob-tree: "era di sopra a la fonte un carrubbio, l'arbor, si dice, ove s'impicco giuda," &c. morgante mag. c. xxv. st. .] [footnote : nasty: old ed. "masty."] [footnote : me: old ed. "we".] [footnote : enter ferneze, &c.: scene, the interior of the council- house.] [footnote : him: qy. "'em"?] [footnote : exeunt all, leaving barabas on the floor: here the audience were to suppose that barabas had been thrown over the walls, and that the stage now represented the outside of the city.] [footnote : bassoes: here old ed. "bashawes." see note §, p. . [footnote i.e. note .]] [footnote : trench: a doubtful reading.--old ed. "truce."--"query 'sluice'? 'truce' seems unintelligible." collier (apud dodsley's o. p.).--the rev. j. mitford proposes "turret" or "tower."] [footnote : channels: i.e. kennels.] [footnote : enter calymath, &c.: scene, an open place in the city.] [footnote : vail: i.e. lower, stoop.] [footnote : to kept: i.e. to have kept.] [footnote : entreat: i.e. treat.] [footnote : bassoes: here old ed. "bashawes." see note §, p. . [footnote i.e. note .]] [footnote : thus hast thou gotten, &c.: a change of scene is supposed here--to the citadel, the residence of barabas as governor.] [footnote : whenas: i.e. when. [footnote : within here: the usual exclamation is "within there!" but compare the hogge hath lost his pearle (by r. tailor), ; "what, ho! within here!" sig. e .] [footnote : sith: i.e. since.] [footnote : cast: i.e. plot, contrive.] [footnote : bassoes: here and afterwards old ed. "bashawes." see note §, p. . [i.e. note .]--scene, outside the walls of the city.] [footnote : basilisk[s: see note Â�, p. . [note ||, p. , the first part of tamburlaine the great: "|| basilisks: pieces of ordnance so called. they were of immense size; see douce's illust. of shakespeare, i. ."] [footnote : and, toward calabria, &c.: so the editor of .--old ed. thus: "and toward calabria back'd by sicily, two lofty turrets that command the towne. when siracusian dionisius reign'd; i wonder how it could be conquer'd thus?"] [footnote : enter ferneze, &c.: scene, a street.] [footnote : linstock: "i.e. the long match with which cannon are fired." steevens (apud dodsley's o. p.).] [footnote : enter, above, &c.: scene, a hall in the citadel, with a gallery.] [footnote : first carpenter.: old ed. here "serv."; but it gives "carp." as the prefix to the second speech after this.] [footnote : off: an interpolation perhaps.] [footnote : sun: old ed. "summe."] [footnote : ascend: old ed. "attend."] [footnote : a charge sounded within: ferneze cuts the cord; the floor of the gallery gives way, and barabas falls into a caldron placed in a pit. enter knights and martin del bosco old ed. has merely "a charge, the cable cut, a caldron discouered."] [footnote : christian: old ed. "christians."] [footnote : train: i.e. stratagem.] [footnote : pretended: i.e. intended.] [footnote : mediate: old ed. "meditate."] [footnote : all: old ed. "call."] square brackets: the square brackets, i.e. [ ] are copied from the printed book, without change, except that the stage directions usually do not have closing brackets. these have been added. footnotes: for this e-text version of the book, the footnotes have been consolidated at the end of the play. numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form [xxx]. changes to the text: character names were expanded. for example, barabas was bara., ferneze was fern., etc. tamburlaine the great, in two parts. this is part i. by christopher marlowe edited by the rev. alexander dyce. transcriber's comments on the preparation of the e-text: square brackets: the square brackets, i.e. [ ] are copied from the printed book, without change, except that the stage directions usually do not have closing brackets. these have been added. footnotes: for this e-text version of the book, the footnotes have been consolidated at the end of the play. numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form [xxx]. changes to the text: character names were expanded. for example, tamburlaine was tamb., zenocrate was zeno., etc. greek: one word, appearing in note , was printed in greek characters. this word has been transliterated as <<deiktikos>>. tamburlaine the great. who, from a scythian shephearde by his rare and woonderfull conquests, became a most puissant and mightye monarque. and (for his tyranny, and terrour in warre) was tearmed, the scourge of god. deuided into two tragicall discourses, as they were sundrie times shewed vpon stages in the citie of london. by the right honorable the lord admyrall, his seruauntes. now first, and newlie published. london. printed by richard ihones: at the signe of the rose and crowne neere holborne bridge. . to. the above title-page is pasted into a copy of the first part of tamburlaine in the library at bridge-water house; which copy, excepting that title-page and the address to the readers, is the impression of . i once supposed that the title-pages which bear the dates and (see below) had been added to the tos of the two parts of the play originally printed in ; but i am now convinced that both parts were really reprinted, the first part in , and the second part in , and that nothing remains of the earlier tos, except the title-page and the address to the readers, which are preserved in the bridge- water collection. in the bodleian library, oxford, is an vo edition of both parts of tamburlaine, dated : the title-page of the first part agrees verbatim with that given above; the half-title-page of the second part is as follows; the second part of the bloody conquests of mighty tamburlaine. with his impassionate fury, for the death of his lady and loue faire zenocrate; his fourme of exhortacion and discipline to his three sons, and the maner of his own death. in the garrick collection, british museum, is an vo edition of both parts dated : the title-page of the first part runs thus; tamburlaine the great. who, from a scythian shepheard, by his rare and wonderfull conquestes, became a most puissant and mightie mornarch [sic]: and (for his tyrannie, and terrour in warre) was tearmed, the scourge of god. the first part of the two tragicall discourses, as they were sundrie times most stately shewed vpon stages in the citie of london. by the right honorable the lord admirall, his seruauntes. now newly published. printed by richard iones, dwelling at the signe of the rose and crowne neere holborne bridge. the half-title-page of the second part agrees exactly with that already given. perhaps the vo at oxford and that in the british museum (for i have not had an opportunity of comparing them) are the same impression, differing only in the title-pages. langbaine (account of engl. dram. poets, p. ) mentions an vo dated . the title-pages of the latest impressions of the two parts are as follows; tamburlaine the greate. who, from the state of a shepheard in scythia, by his rare and wonderfull conquests, became a most puissant and mighty monarque. london printed for edward white, and are to be solde at the little north doore of saint paules-church, at the signe of the gunne, . to. tamburlaine the greate. with his impassionate furie, for the death of his lady and loue fair zenocrate: his forme of exhortation and discipline to his three sonnes, and the manner of his owne death. the second part. london printed by e. a. for ed. white, and are to be solde at his shop neere the little north doore of saint paules church at the signe of the gun. . to. the text of the present edition is given from the vo of , collated with the tos of - . to the gentlemen-readers [ ] and others that take pleasure in reading histories. [ ] gentlemen and courteous readers whosoever: i have here published in print, for your sakes, the two tragical discourses of the scythian shepherd tamburlaine, that became so great a conqueror and so mighty a monarch. my hope is, that they will be now no less acceptable unto you to read after your serious affairs and studies than they have been lately delightful for many of you to see when the same were shewed in london upon stages. i have purposely omitted and left out some fond [ ] and frivolous gestures, digressing, and, in my poor opinion, far unmeet for the matter, which i thought might seem more tedious unto the wise than any way else to be regarded, though haply they have been of some vain-conceited fondlings greatly gaped at, what time they were shewed upon the stage in their graced deformities: nevertheless now to be mixtured in print with such matter of worth, it would prove a great disgrace to so honourable and stately a history. great folly were it in me to commend unto your wisdoms either the eloquence of the author that writ them or the worthiness of the matter itself. i therefore leave unto your learned censures [ ] both the one and the other, and myself the poor printer of them unto your most courteous and favourable protection; which if you vouchsafe to accept, you shall evermore bind me to employ what travail and service i can to the advancing and pleasuring of your excellent degree. yours, most humble at commandment, r[ichard] j[ones], printer. the first part of tamburlaine the great. the prologue. from jigging veins of rhyming mother-wits, and such conceits as clownage keeps in pay, we'll lead you to the stately tent of war, where you shall hear the scythian tamburlaine threatening the world with high astounding terms, and scourging kingdoms with his conquering sword. view but his picture in this tragic glass, and then applaud his fortunes as you please. dramatis personae. mycetes, king of persia. cosroe, his brother. meander, ] theridamas, ] ortygius, ] persian lords. ceneus, ] menaphon, ] tamburlaine, a scythian shepherd. techelles, ] usumcasane, ] his followers. bajazeth, emperor of the turks. king of fez. king of morocco. king of argier. king of arabia. soldan of egypt. governor of damascus. agydas, ] magnetes, ] median lords. capolin, an egyptian. philemus, bassoes, lords, citizens, moors, soldiers, and attendants. zenocrate, daughter to the soldan of egypt. anippe, her maid. zabina, wife to bajazeth. ebea, her maid. virgins of damascus. the first part of tamburlaine the great. act i. scene i. enter mycetes, cosroe, meander, theridamas, ortygius, ceneus, menaphon, with others. mycetes. brother cosroe, i find myself agriev'd; yet insufficient to express the same, for it requires a great and thundering speech: good brother, tell the cause unto my lords; i know you have a better wit than i. cosroe. unhappy persia,--that in former age hast been the seat of mighty conquerors, that, in their prowess and their policies, have triumph'd over afric, [ ] and the bounds of europe where the sun dares scarce appear for freezing meteors and congealed cold,-- now to be rul'd and govern'd by a man at whose birth-day cynthia with saturn join'd, and jove, the sun, and mercury denied to shed their [ ] influence in his fickle brain! now turks and tartars shake their swords at thee, meaning to mangle all thy provinces. mycetes. brother, i see your meaning well enough, and through [ ] your planets i perceive you think i am not wise enough to be a king: but i refer me to my noblemen, that know my wit, and can be witnesses. i might command you to be slain for this,-- meander, might i not? meander. not for so small a fault, my sovereign lord. mycetes. i mean it not, but yet i know i might.-- yet live; yea, live; mycetes wills it so.-- meander, thou, my faithful counsellor, declare the cause of my conceived grief, which is, god knows, about that tamburlaine, that, like a fox in midst of harvest-time, doth prey upon my flocks of passengers; and, as i hear, doth mean to pull my plumes: therefore 'tis good and meet for to be wise. meander. oft have i heard your majesty complain of tamburlaine, that sturdy scythian thief, that robs your merchants of persepolis trading by land unto the western isles, and in your confines with his lawless train daily commits incivil [ ] outrages, hoping (misled by dreaming prophecies) to reign in asia, and with barbarous arms to make himself the monarch of the east: but, ere he march in asia, or display his vagrant ensign in the persian fields, your grace hath taken order by theridamas, charg'd with a thousand horse, to apprehend and bring him captive to your highness' throne. mycetes. full true thou speak'st, and like thyself, my lord, whom i may term a damon for thy love: therefore 'tis best, if so it like you all, to send my thousand horse incontinent [ ] to apprehend that paltry scythian. how like you this, my honourable lords? is it not a kingly resolution? cosroe. it cannot choose, because it comes from you. mycetes. then hear thy charge, valiant theridamas, the chiefest [ ] captain of mycetes' host, the hope of persia, and the very legs whereon our state doth lean as on a staff, that holds us up and foils our neighbour foes: thou shalt be leader of this thousand horse, whose foaming gall with rage and high disdain have sworn the death of wicked tamburlaine. go frowning forth; but come thou smiling home, as did sir paris with the grecian dame: return with speed; time passeth swift away; our life is frail, and we may die to-day. theridamas. before the moon renew her borrow'd light, doubt not, my lord and gracious sovereign, but tamburlaine and that tartarian rout [ ] shall either perish by our warlike hands, or plead for mercy at your highness' feet. mycetes. go, stout theridamas; thy words are swords, and with thy looks thou conquerest all thy foes. i long to see thee back return from thence, that i may view these milk-white steeds of mine all loaden with the heads of killed men, and, from their knees even to their hoofs below, besmear'd with blood that makes a dainty show. theridamas. then now, my lord, i humbly take my leave. mycetes. theridamas, farewell ten thousand times. [exit theridamas.] ah, menaphon, why stay'st thou thus behind, when other men press [ ] forward for renown? go, menaphon, go into scythia, and foot by foot follow theridamas. cosroe. nay, pray you, [ ] let him stay; a greater [task] fits menaphon than warring with a thief: create him pro-rex of all [ ] africa, that he may win the babylonians' hearts, which will revolt from persian government, unless they have a wiser king than you. mycetes. unless they have a wiser king than you! these are his words; meander, set them down. cosroe. and add this to them,--that all asia lament to see the folly of their king. mycetes. well, here i swear by this my royal seat-- cosroe. you may do well to kiss it, then. mycetes. emboss'd with silk as best beseems my state, to be reveng'd for these contemptuous words! o, where is duty and allegiance now? fled to the caspian or the ocean main? what shall i call thee? brother? no, a foe; monster of nature, shame unto thy stock, that dar'st presume thy sovereign for to mock!-- meander, come: i am abus'd, meander. [exeunt all except cosroe and menaphon.] menaphon. how now, my lord! what, mated [ ] and amaz'd to hear the king thus threaten like himself! cosroe. ah, menaphon, i pass not [ ] for his threats! the plot is laid by persian noblemen and captains of the median garrisons to crown me emperor of asia: but this it is that doth excruciate the very substance of my vexed soul, to see our neighbours, that were wont to quake and tremble at the persian monarch's name, now sit and laugh our regiment [ ] to scorn; and that which might resolve [ ] me into tears, men from the farthest equinoctial line have swarm'd in troops into the eastern india, lading their ships [ ] with gold and precious stones, and made their spoils from all our provinces. menaphon. this should entreat your highness to rejoice, since fortune gives you opportunity to gain the title of a conqueror by curing of this maimed empery. afric and europe bordering on your land, and continent to your dominions, how easily may you, with a mighty host, pass [ ] into graecia, as did cyrus once, and cause them to withdraw their forces home, lest you [ ] subdue the pride of christendom! [trumpet within.] cosroe. but, menaphon, what means this trumpet's sound? menaphon. behold, my lord, ortygius and the rest bringing the crown to make you emperor! re-enter ortygius and ceneus, [ ] with others, bearing a crown. ortygius. magnificent and mighty prince cosroe, we, in the name of other persian states [ ] and commons of this mighty monarchy, present thee with th' imperial diadem. ceneus. the warlike soldiers and the gentlemen, that heretofore have fill'd persepolis with afric captains taken in the field, whose ransom made them march in coats of gold, with costly jewels hanging at their ears, and shining stones upon their lofty crests, now living idle in the walled towns, wanting both pay and martial discipline, begin in troops to threaten civil war, and openly exclaim against their [ ] king: therefore, to stay all sudden mutinies, we will invest your highness emperor; whereat the soldiers will conceive more joy than did the macedonians at the spoil of great darius and his wealthy host. cosroe. well, since i see the state of persia droop and languish in my brother's government, i willingly receive th' imperial crown, and vow to wear it for my country's good, in spite of them shall malice my estate. ortygius. and, in assurance of desir'd success, we here do crown thee monarch of the east [;] emperor of asia and persia; [ ] great lord of media and armenia; duke of africa and albania, mesopotamia and of parthia, east india and the late-discover'd isles; chief lord of all the wide vast euxine sea, and of the ever-raging [ ] caspian lake. all. [ ] long live cosroe, mighty emperor! cosroe. and jove may [ ] never let me longer live than i may seek to gratify your love, and cause the soldiers that thus honour me to triumph over many provinces! by whose desires of discipline in arms i doubt not shortly but to reign sole king, and with the army of theridamas (whither we presently will fly, my lords,) to rest secure against my brother's force. ortygius. we knew, [ ] my lord, before we brought the crown, intending your investion so near the residence of your despised brother, the lords [ ] would not be too exasperate to injury [ ] or suppress your worthy title; or, if they would, there are in readiness ten thousand horse to carry you from hence, in spite of all suspected enemies. cosroe. i know it well, my lord, and thank you all. ortygius. sound up the trumpets, then. [trumpets sounded.] all. [ ] god save the king! [exeunt.] scene ii. enter tamburlaine leading zenocrate, techelles, usumcasane, agydas, magnetes, lords, and soldiers loaden with treasure. tamburlaine. come, lady, let not this appal your thoughts; the jewels and the treasure we have ta'en shall be reserv'd, and you in better state than if you were arriv'd in syria, even in the circle of your father's arms, the mighty soldan of aegyptia. zenocrate. ah, shepherd, pity my distressed plight! (if, as thou seem'st, thou art so mean a man,) and seek not to enrich thy followers by lawless rapine from a silly maid, who, travelling [ ] with these median lords to memphis, from my uncle's country of media, where, all my youth, i have been governed, have pass'd the army of the mighty turk, bearing his privy-signet and his hand to safe-conduct us thorough [ ] africa. magnetes. and, since we have arriv'd in scythia, besides rich presents from the puissant cham, we have his highness' letters to command aid and assistance, if we stand in need. tamburlaine. but now you see these letters and commands are countermanded by a greater man; and through my provinces you must expect letters of conduct from my mightiness, if you intend to keep your treasure safe. but, since i love to live at liberty, as easily may you get the soldan's crown as any prizes out of my precinct; for they are friends that help to wean my state till men and kingdoms help to strengthen it, and must maintain my life exempt from servitude.-- but, tell me, madam, is your grace betroth'd? zenocrate. i am, my lord,--for so you do import. tamburlaine. i am a lord, for so my deeds shall prove; and yet a shepherd by my parentage. but, lady, this fair face and heavenly hue must grace his bed that conquers asia, and means to be a terror to the world, measuring the limits of his empery by east and west, as phoebus doth his course.-- lie here, ye weeds, that i disdain to wear! this complete armour and this curtle-axe are adjuncts more beseeming tamburlaine.-- and, madam, whatsoever you esteem of this success, and loss unvalued, [ ] both may invest you empress of the east; and these that seem but silly country swains may have the leading of so great an host as with their weight shall make the mountains quake, even as when windy exhalations, fighting for passage, tilt within the earth. techelles. as princely lions, when they rouse themselves, stretching their paws, and threatening herds of beasts, so in his armour looketh tamburlaine. methinks i see kings kneeling at his feet, and he with frowning brows and fiery looks spurning their crowns from off their captive heads. usumcasane. and making thee and me, techelles, kings, that even to death will follow tamburlaine. tamburlaine. nobly resolv'd, sweet friends and followers! these lords perhaps do scorn our estimates, and think we prattle with distemper'd spirits: but, since they measure our deserts so mean, that in conceit [ ] bear empires on our spears, affecting thoughts coequal with the clouds, they shall be kept our forced followers till with their eyes they view us emperors. zenocrate. the gods, defenders of the innocent. will never prosper your intended drifts, that thus oppress poor friendless passengers. therefore at least admit us liberty, even as thou hop'st to be eternized by living asia's mighty emperor. agydas. i hope our lady's treasure and our own may serve for ransom to our liberties: return our mules and empty camels back, that we may travel into syria, where her betrothed lord, alcidamus, expects the arrival of her highness' person. magnetes. and wheresoever we repose ourselves, we will report but well of tamburlaine. tamburlaine. disdains zenocrate to live with me? or you, my lords, to be my followers? think you i weigh this treasure more than you? not all the gold in india's wealthy arms shall buy the meanest soldier in my train. zenocrate, lovelier than the love of jove, brighter than is the silver rhodope, [ ] fairer than whitest snow on scythian hills, thy person is more worth to tamburlaine than the possession of the persian crown, which gracious stars have promis'd at my birth. a hundred tartars shall attend on thee, mounted on steeds swifter than pegasus; thy garments shall be made of median silk, enchas'd with precious jewels of mine own, more rich and valurous [ ] than zenocrate's; with milk-white harts upon an ivory sled thou shalt be drawn amidst the frozen pools, [ ] and scale the icy mountains' lofty tops, which with thy beauty will be soon resolv'd: [ ] my martial prizes, with five hundred men, won on the fifty-headed volga's waves, shall we all offer [ ] to zenocrate, and then myself to fair zenocrate. techelles. what now! in love? tamburlaine. techelles, women must be flattered: but this is she with whom i am in [ ] love. enter a soldier. soldier. news, news! tamburlaine. how now! what's the matter? soldier. a thousand persian horsemen are at hand, sent from the king to overcome us all. tamburlaine. how now, my lords of egypt, and zenocrate! now must your jewels be restor'd again, and i, that triumph'd [ ] so, be overcome? how say you, lordings? is not this your hope? agydas. we hope yourself will willingly restore them. tamburlaine. such hope, such fortune, have the thousand horse. soft ye, my lords, and sweet zenocrate! you must be forced from me ere you go.-- a thousand horsemen! we five hundred foot! an odds too great for us to stand against. but are they rich? and is their armour good! soldier. their plumed helms are wrought with beaten gold, their swords enamell'd, and about their necks hang massy chains of gold down to the waist; in every part exceeding brave [ ] and rich. tamburlaine. then shall we fight courageously with them? or look you i should play the orator? techelles. no; cowards and faint-hearted runaways look for orations when the foe is near: our swords shall play the orators for us. usumcasane. come, let us meet them at the mountain-top, [ ] and with a sudden and an hot alarum drive all their horses headlong down the hill. techelles. come, let us march. tamburlaine. stay, techelles; ask a parle first. the soldiers enter. open the mails, [ ] yet guard the treasure sure: lay out our golden wedges to the view, that their reflections may amaze the persians; and look we friendly on them when they come: but, if they offer word or violence, we'll fight, five hundred men-at-arms to one, before we part with our possession; and 'gainst the general we will lift our swords, and either lance [ ] his greedy thirsting throat, or take him prisoner, and his chain shall serve for manacles till he be ransom'd home. techelles. i hear them come: shall we encounter them? tamburlaine. keep all your standings, and not stir a foot: myself will bide the danger of the brunt. enter theridamas with others. theridamas. where is this [ ] scythian tamburlaine? tamburlaine. whom seek'st thou, persian? i am tamburlaine. theridamas. tamburlaine! a scythian shepherd so embellished with nature's pride and richest furniture! his looks do menace heaven and dare the gods; his fiery eyes are fix'd upon the earth, as if he now devis'd some stratagem, or meant to pierce avernus' darksome vaults [ ] to pull the triple-headed dog from hell. tamburlaine. noble and mild this persian seems to be, if outward habit judge the inward man. techelles. his deep affections make him passionate. tamburlaine. with what a majesty he rears his looks!-- in thee, thou valiant man of persia, i see the folly of thy [ ] emperor. art thou but captain of a thousand horse, that by characters graven in thy brows, and by thy martial face and stout aspect, deserv'st to have the leading of an host? forsake thy king, and do but join with me, and we will triumph over all the world: i hold the fates bound fast in iron chains, and with my hand turn fortune's wheel about; and sooner shall the sun fall from his sphere than tamburlaine be slain or overcome. draw forth thy sword, thou mighty man-at-arms, intending but to raze my charmed skin, and jove himself will stretch his hand from heaven to ward the blow, and shield me safe from harm. see, how he rains down heaps of gold in showers, as if he meant to give my soldiers pay! and, as a sure and grounded argument that i shall be the monarch of the east, he sends this soldan's daughter rich and brave, [ ] to be my queen and portly emperess. if thou wilt stay with me, renowmed [ ] man, and lead thy thousand horse with my conduct, besides thy share of this egyptian prize, those thousand horse shall sweat with martial spoil of conquer'd kingdoms and of cities sack'd: both we will walk upon the lofty cliffs; [ ] and christian merchants, [ ] that with russian stems [ ] plough up huge furrows in the caspian sea, shall vail [ ] to us as lords of all the lake; both we will reign as consuls of the earth, and mighty kings shall be our senators. jove sometime masked in a shepherd's weed; and by those steps that he hath scal'd the heavens may we become immortal like the gods. join with me now in this my mean estate, (i call it mean, because, being yet obscure, the nations far-remov'd admire me not,) and when my name and honour shall be spread as far as boreas claps his brazen wings, or fair bootes [ ] sends his cheerful light, then shalt thou be competitor [ ] with me, and sit with tamburlaine in all his majesty. theridamas. not hermes, prolocutor to the gods, could use persuasions more pathetical. tamburlaine. nor are apollo's oracles more true than thou shalt find my vaunts substantial. techelles. we are his friends; and, if the persian king should offer present dukedoms to our state, we think it loss to make exchange for that we are assur'd of by our friend's success. usumcasane. and kingdoms at the least we all expect, besides the honour in assured conquests, where kings shall crouch unto our conquering swords, and hosts of soldiers stand amaz'd at us, when with their fearful tongues they shall confess, these are the men that all the world admires. theridamas. what strong enchantments tice my yielding soul to these [ ] resolved, noble scythians! but shall i prove a traitor to my king? tamburlaine. no; but the trusty friend of tamburlaine. theridamas. won with thy words, and conquer'd with thy looks, i yield myself, my men, and horse to thee, to be partaker of thy good or ill, as long as life maintains theridamas. tamburlaine. theridamas, my friend, take here my hand, which is as much as if i swore by heaven, and call'd the gods to witness of my vow. thus shall my heart be still combin'd with thine until our bodies turn to elements, and both our souls aspire celestial thrones.-- techelles and casane, welcome him. techelles. welcome, renowmed [ ] persian, to us all! usumcasane. long may theridamas remain with us! tamburlaine. these are my friends, in whom i more rejoice than doth the king of persia in his crown; and, by the love of pylades and orestes, whose statues [ ] we adore in scythia, thyself and them shall never part from me before i crown you kings [ ] in asia. make much of them, gentle theridamas, and they will never leave thee till the death. theridamas. nor thee nor them, [ ] thrice-noble tamburlaine, shall want my heart to be with gladness pierc'd, to do you honour and security. tamburlaine. a thousand thanks, worthy theridamas.-- and now, fair madam, and my noble lords, if you will [ ] willingly remain with me, you shall have honours as your merits be; or else you shall be forc'd with slavery. agydas. we yield unto thee, happy tamburlaine. tamburlaine. for you, then, madam, i am out of doubt. zenocrate. i must be pleas'd perforce,--wretched zenocrate! [exeunt.] act ii. scene i. enter cosroe, menaphon, ortygius, and ceneus, with soldiers. cosroe. thus far are we towards theridamas, and valiant tamburlaine, the man of fame, the man that in the forehead of his fortune bears figures of renown and miracle. but tell me, that hast seen him, menaphon, what stature wields he, and what personage? menaphon. of stature tall, and straightly fashioned, like his desire, lift upwards and divine; so large of limbs, his joints so strongly knit, such breadth of shoulders as might mainly bear old atlas' burden; 'twixt his manly pitch, [ ] a pearl more worth than all the world is plac'd, wherein by curious sovereignty of art are fix'd his piercing instruments of sight, whose fiery circles bear encompassed a heaven of heavenly bodies in their spheres, that guides his steps and actions to the throne where honour sits invested royally; pale of complexion, wrought in him with passion, thirsting with sovereignty and [ ] love of arms; his lofty brows in folds do figure death, and in their smoothness amity and life; about them hangs a knot of amber hair, wrapped in curls, as fierce achilles' was, on which the breath of heaven delights to play, making it dance with wanton majesty; his arms and fingers long and sinewy, [ ] betokening valour and excess of strength;-- in every part proportion'd like the man should make the world subdu'd [ ] to tamburlaine. cosroe. well hast thou pourtray'd in thy terms of life the face and personage of a wondrous man: nature doth strive with fortune [ ] and his stars to make him famous in accomplish'd worth; and well his merits shew him to be made his fortune's master and the king of men, that could persuade, at such a sudden pinch, with reasons of his valour and his life, a thousand sworn and overmatching foes. then, when our powers in points of swords are join'd, and clos'd in compass of the killing bullet, though strait the passage and the port [ ] be made that leads to palace of my brother's life, proud is [ ] his fortune if we pierce it not; and, when the princely persian diadem shall overweigh his weary witless head, and fall, like mellow'd fruit, with shakes of death, in fair [ ] persia noble tamburlaine shall be my regent, and remain as king. ortygius. in happy hour we have set the crown upon your kingly head, that seeks our honour in joining with the man ordain'd by heaven to further every action to the best. ceneus. he that with shepherds and a little spoil durst, in disdain of wrong and tyranny, defend his freedom 'gainst a monarchy, what will he do supported by a king, leading a troop of gentlemen and lords, and stuff'd with treasure for his highest thoughts! cosroe. and such shall wait on worthy tamburlaine. our army will be forty thousand strong, when tamburlaine and brave theridamas have met us by the river araris; and all conjoin'd to meet the witless king, that now is marching near to parthia, and, with unwilling soldiers faintly arm'd, to seek revenge on me and tamburlaine; to whom, sweet menaphon, direct me straight. menaphon. i will, my lord. [exeunt.] scene ii. enter mycetes, meander, with other lords; and soldiers. mycetes. come, my meander, let us to this gear. i tell you true, my heart is swoln with wrath on this same thievish villain tamburlaine, and of [ ] that false cosroe, my traitorous brother. would it not grieve a king to be so abus'd, and have a thousand horsemen ta'en away? and, which is worse, [ ] to have his diadem sought for by such scald knaves as love him not? i think it would: well, then, by heavens i swear, aurora shall not peep out of her doors, but i will have cosroe by the head, and kill proud tamburlaine with point of sword. tell you the rest, meander: i have said. meander. then, having pass'd armenian deserts now, and pitch'd our tents under the georgian hills, whose tops are cover'd with tartarian thieves, that lie in ambush, waiting for a prey, what should we do but bid them battle straight, and rid the world of those detested troops? lest, if we let them linger here a while, they gather strength by power of fresh supplies. this country swarms with vile outragious men that live by rapine and by lawless spoil, fit soldiers for the [ ] wicked tamburlaine; and he that could with gifts and promises inveigle him that led a thousand horse, and make him false his faith unto his [ ] king, will quickly win such as be [ ] like himself. therefore cheer up your minds; prepare to fight: he that can take or slaughter tamburlaine, shall rule the province of albania; who brings that traitor's head, theridamas, shall have a government in media, beside [ ] the spoil of him and all his train: but, if cosroe (as our spials say, and as we know) remains with tamburlaine, his highness' pleasure is that he should live, and be reclaim'd with princely lenity. enter a spy. spy. an hundred horsemen of my company, scouting abroad upon these champion [ ] plains, have view'd the army of the scythians; which make report it far exceeds the king's. meander. suppose they be in number infinite, yet being void of martial discipline, all running headlong, greedy after [ ] spoils, and more regarding gain than victory, like to the cruel brothers of the earth, sprung [ ] of the teeth of [ ] dragons venomous, their careless swords shall lance [ ] their fellows' throats, and make us triumph in their overthrow. mycetes. was there such brethren, sweet meander, say, that sprung of teeth of dragons venomous? meander. so poets say, my lord. mycetes. and 'tis a pretty toy to be a poet. well, well, meander, thou art deeply read; and having thee, i have a jewel sure. go on, my lord, and give your charge, i say; thy wit will make us conquerors to-day. meander. then, noble soldiers, to entrap these thieves that live confounded in disorder'd troops, if wealth or riches may prevail with them, we have our camels laden all with gold, which you that be but common soldiers shall fling in every corner of the field; and, while the base-born tartars take it up, you, fighting more for honour than for gold, shall massacre those greedy-minded slaves; and, when their scatter'd army is subdu'd, and you march on their slaughter'd carcasses, share equally the gold that bought their lives, and live like gentlemen in persia. strike up the [ ] drum, and march courageously: fortune herself doth sit upon our crests. mycetes. he tells you true, my masters; so he does.-- drums, why sound ye not when meander speaks? [exeunt, drums sounding.] scene iii. enter cosroe, tamburlaine, theridamas, techelles, usumcasane, and ortygius, with others. cosroe. now, worthy tamburlaine, have i repos'd in thy approved fortunes all my hope. what think'st thou, man, shall come of our attempts? for, even as from assured oracle, i take thy doom for satisfaction. tamburlaine. and so mistake you not a whit, my lord; for fates and oracles [of] heaven have sworn to royalize the deeds of tamburlaine, and make them blest that share in his attempts: and doubt you not but, if you favour me, and let my fortunes and my valour sway to some [ ] direction in your martial deeds, the world will [ ] strive with hosts of men-at-arms to swarm unto the ensign i support. the host of xerxes, which by fame is said to drink the mighty parthian araris, was but a handful to that we will have: our quivering lances, shaking in the air, and bullets, like jove's dreadful thunderbolts, enroll'd in flames and fiery smouldering mists, shall threat the gods more than cyclopian wars; and with our sun-bright armour, as we march, we'll chase the stars from heaven, and dim their eyes that stand and muse at our admired arms. theridamas. you see, my lord, what working words he hath; but, when you see his actions top [ ] his speech, your speech will stay, or so extol his worth as i shall be commended and excus'd for turning my poor charge to his direction: and these his two renowmed [ ] friends, my lord, would make one thirst [ ] and strive to be retain'd in such a great degree of amity. techelles. with duty and [ ] with amity we yield our utmost service to the fair [ ] cosroe. cosroe. which i esteem as portion of my crown. usumcasane and techelles both, when she [ ] that rules in rhamnus' [ ] golden gates, and makes a passage for all prosperous arms, shall make me solely emperor of asia, then shall your meeds [ ] and valours be advanc'd to rooms of honour and nobility. tamburlaine. then haste, cosroe, to be king alone, that i with these my friends and all my men may triumph in our long-expected fate. the king, your brother, is now hard at hand: meet with the fool, and rid your royal shoulders of such a burden as outweighs the sands and all the craggy rocks of caspia. enter a messenger. messenger. my lord, we have discovered the enemy ready to charge you with a mighty army. cosroe. come, tamburlaine; now whet thy winged sword, and lift thy lofty arm into [ ] the clouds, that it may reach the king of persia's crown, and set it safe on my victorious head. tamburlaine. see where it is, the keenest curtle-axe that e'er made passage thorough persian arms! these are the wings shall make it fly as swift as doth the lightning or the breath of heaven, and kill as sure [ ] as it swiftly flies. cosroe. thy words assure me of kind success: go, valiant soldier, go before, and charge the fainting army of that foolish king. tamburlaine. usumcasane and techelles, come: we are enow to scare the enemy, and more than needs to make an emperor. [exeunt to the battle.] scene iv. enter mycetes with his crown in his hand. [ ] mycetes. accurs'd be he that first invented war! they knew not, ah, they knew not, simple men, how those were [ ] hit by pelting cannon-shot stand staggering [ ] like a quivering aspen-leaf fearing the force of boreas' boisterous blasts! in what a lamentable case were i, if nature had not given me wisdom's lore! for kings are clouts that every man shoots at, our crown the pin [ ] that thousands seek to cleave: therefore in policy i think it good to hide it close; a goodly stratagem, and far from any man that is a fool: so shall not i be known; or if i be, they cannot take away my crown from me. here will i hide it in this simple hole. enter tamburlaine. tamburlaine. what, fearful coward, straggling from the camp, when kings themselves are present in the field? mycetes. thou liest. tamburlaine. base villain, darest thou give me [ ] the lie? mycetes. away! i am the king; go; touch me not. thou break'st the law of arms, unless thou kneel, and cry me "mercy, noble king!" tamburlaine. are you the witty king of persia? mycetes. ay, marry, [ ] am i: have you any suit to me? tamburlaine. i would entreat you to speak but three wise words. mycetes. so i can when i see my time. tamburlaine. is this your crown? mycetes. ay: didst thou ever see a fairer? tamburlaine. you will not sell it, will you? mycetes. such another word, and i will have thee executed. come, give it me. tamburlaine. no; i took it prisoner. mycetes. you lie; i gave it you. tamburlaine. then 'tis mine. mycetes. no; i mean i let you keep it. tamburlaine. well, i mean you shall have it again. here, take it for a while: i lend it thee, till i may see thee hemm'd with armed men; then shalt thou see me pull it from thy head: thou art no match for mighty tamburlaine. [exit.] mycetes. o gods, is this tamburlaine the thief? i marvel much he stole it not away. [trumpets within sound to the battle: he runs out.] scene v. enter cosroe, tamburlaine, menaphon, meander, ortygius, theridamas, techelles, usumcasane, with others. tamburlaine. hold thee, cosroe; wear two imperial crowns; think thee invested now as royally, even by the mighty hand of tamburlaine, as if as many kings as could encompass thee with greatest pomp had crown'd thee emperor. cosroe. so do i, thrice-renowmed man-at-arms; [ ] and none shall keep the crown but tamburlaine: thee do i make my regent of persia, and general-lieutenant of my armies.-- meander, you, that were our brother's guide, and chiefest [ ] counsellor in all his acts, since he is yielded to the stroke of war, on your submission we with thanks excuse, and give you equal place in our affairs. meander. most happy [ ] emperor, in humblest terms i vow my service to your majesty, with utmost virtue of my faith and duty. cosroe. thanks, good meander.--then, cosroe, reign, and govern persia in her former pomp. now send embassage to thy neighbour kings, and let them know the persian king is chang'd, from one that knew not what a king should do, to one that can command what 'longs thereto. and now we will to fair persepolis with twenty thousand expert soldiers. the lords and captains of my brother's camp with little slaughter take meander's course, and gladly yield them to my gracious rule.-- ortygius and menaphon, my trusty friends, now will i gratify your former good, and grace your calling with a greater sway. ortygius. and as we ever aim'd [ ] at your behoof, and sought your state all honour it [ ] deserv'd, so will we with our powers and our [ ] lives endeavour to preserve and prosper it. cosroe. i will not thank thee, sweet ortygius; better replies shall prove my purposes.-- and now, lord tamburlaine, my brother's camp i leave to thee and to theridamas, to follow me to fair persepolis; then will we [ ] march to all those indian mines my witless brother to the christians lost, and ransom them with fame and usury: and, till thou overtake me, tamburlaine, (staying to order all the scatter'd troops,) farewell, lord regent and his happy friends. i long to sit upon my brother's throne. meander. your majesty shall shortly have your wish, and ride in triumph through persepolis. [exeunt all except tamburlaine, theridamas, techelles, and usumcasane.] tamburlaine. and ride in triumph through persepolis!-- is it not brave to be a king, techelles?-- usumcasane and theridamas, is it not passing brave to be a king, and ride in triumph through persepolis? techelles. o, my lord, it is sweet and full of pomp! usumcasane. to be a king is half to be a god. theridamas. a god is not so glorious as a king: i think the pleasure they enjoy in heaven, cannot compare with kingly joys in [ ] earth;-- to wear a crown enchas'd with pearl and gold, whose virtues carry with it life and death; to ask and have, command and be obey'd; when looks breed love, with looks to gain the prize,-- such power attractive shines in princes' eyes. tamburlaine. why, say, theridamas, wilt thou be a king? theridamas. nay, though i praise it, i can live without it. tamburlaine. what say my other friends? will you be kings? techelles. i, if i could, with all my heart, my lord. tamburlaine. why, that's well said, techelles: so would i;-- and so would you, my masters, would you not? usumcasane. what, then, my lord? tamburlaine. why, then, casane, [ ] shall we wish for aught the world affords in greatest novelty, and rest attemptless, faint, and destitute? methinks we should not. i am strongly mov'd, that if i should desire the persian crown, i could attain it with a wondrous ease: and would not all our soldiers soon consent, if we should aim at such a dignity? theridamas. i know they would with our persuasions. tamburlaine. why, then, theridamas, i'll first assay to get the persian kingdom to myself; then thou for parthia; they for scythia and media; and, if i prosper, all shall be as sure as if the turk, the pope, afric, and greece, came creeping to us with their crowns a-piece. [ ] techelles. then shall we send to this triumphing king, and bid him battle for his novel crown? usumcasane. nay, quickly, then, before his room be hot. tamburlaine. 'twill prove a pretty jest, in faith, my friends. theridamas. a jest to charge on twenty thousand men! i judge the purchase [ ] more important far. tamburlaine. judge by thyself, theridamas, not me; for presently techelles here shall haste to bid him battle ere he pass too far, and lose more labour than the gain will quite: [ ] then shalt thou see this [ ] scythian tamburlaine make but a jest to win the persian crown.-- techelles, take a thousand horse with thee, and bid him turn him [ ] back to war with us, that only made him king to make us sport: we will not steal upon him cowardly, but give him warning and [ ] more warriors: haste thee, techelles; we will follow thee. [exit techelles.] what saith theridamas? theridamas. go on, for me. [exeunt.] scene vi. enter cosroe, meander, ortygius, and menaphon, with soldiers. cosroe. what means this devilish shepherd, to aspire with such a giantly presumption, to cast up hills against the face of heaven, and dare the force of angry jupiter? but, as he thrust them underneath the hills, and press'd out fire from their burning jaws, so will i send this monstrous slave to hell, where flames shall ever feed upon his soul. meander. some powers divine, or else infernal, mix'd their angry seeds at his conception; for he was never sprung [ ] of human race, since with the spirit of his fearful pride, he dares [ ] so doubtlessly resolve of rule, and by profession be ambitious. ortygius. what god, or fiend, or spirit of the earth, or monster turned to a manly shape, or of what mould or mettle he be made, what star or fate [ ] soever govern him, let us put on our meet encountering minds; and, in detesting such a devilish thief, in love of honour and defence of right, be arm'd against the hate of such a foe, whether from earth, or hell, or heaven he grow. cosroe. nobly resolv'd, my good ortygius; and, since we all have suck'd one wholesome air, and with the same proportion of elements resolve, [ ] i hope we are resembled, vowing our loves to equal death and life. let's cheer our soldiers to encounter him, that grievous image of ingratitude, that fiery thirster after sovereignty, and burn him in the fury of that flame that none can quench but blood and empery. resolve, my lords and loving soldiers, now to save your king and country from decay. then strike up, drum; and all the stars that make the loathsome circle of my dated life, direct my weapon to his barbarous heart, that thus opposeth him against the gods, and scorns the powers that govern persia! [exeunt, drums sounding.] scene vii. alarms of battle within. then enter cosroe wounded, tamburlaine, theridamas, techelles, usumcasane, with others. cosroe. barbarous [ ] and bloody tamburlaine, thus to deprive me of my crown and life!-- treacherous and false theridamas, even at the morning of my happy state, scarce being seated in my royal throne, to work my downfall and untimely end! an uncouth pain torments my grieved soul; and death arrests the organ of my voice, who, entering at the breach thy sword hath made, sacks every vein and artier [ ] of my heart.-- bloody and insatiate tamburlaine! tamburlaine. the thirst of reign and sweetness of a crown, that caus'd the eldest son of heavenly ops to thrust his doting father from his chair, and place himself in the empyreal heaven, mov'd me to manage arms against thy state. what better precedent than mighty jove? nature, that fram'd us of four elements warring within our breasts for regiment, [ ] doth teach us all to have aspiring minds: our souls, whose faculties can comprehend the wondrous architecture of the world, and measure every wandering planet's course, still climbing after knowledge infinite, and always moving as the restless spheres, will us to wear ourselves, and never rest, until we reach the ripest fruit [ ] of all, that perfect bliss and sole felicity, the sweet fruition of an earthly crown. theridamas. and that made me to join with tamburlaine; for he is gross and like the massy earth that moves not upwards, nor by princely deeds doth mean to soar above the highest sort. techelles. and that made us, the friends of tamburlaine, to lift our swords against the persian king. usumcasane. for as, when jove did thrust old saturn down, neptune and dis gain'd each of them a crown, so do we hope to reign in asia, if tamburlaine be plac'd in persia. cosroe. the strangest men that ever nature made! i know not how to take their tyrannies. my bloodless body waxeth chill and cold, and with my blood my life slides through my wound; my soul begins to take her flight to hell, and summons all my senses to depart: the heat and moisture, which did feed each other, for want of nourishment to feed them both, are [ ] dry and cold; and now doth ghastly death with greedy talents [ ] gripe my bleeding heart, and like a harpy [ ] tires on my life.-- theridamas and tamburlaine, i die: and fearful vengeance light upon you both! [dies.--tamburlaine takes cosroe's crown, and puts it on his own head.] tamburlaine. not all the curses which the [ ] furies breathe shall make me leave so rich a prize as this. theridamas, techelles, and the rest, who think you now is king of persia? all. tamburlaine! tamburlaine! tamburlaine. though mars himself, the angry god of arms, and all the earthly potentates conspire to dispossess me of this diadem, yet will i wear it in despite of them, as great commander of this eastern world, if you but say that tamburlaine shall reign. all. long live tamburlaine, and reign in asia! tamburlaine. so; now it is more surer on my head than if the gods had held a parliament, and all pronounc'd me king of persia. [exeunt.] act iii. scene i. enter bajazeth, the kings of fez, morocco, and argier, with others, in great pomp. bajazeth. great kings of barbary, and my portly bassoes, [ ] we hear the tartars and the eastern thieves, under the conduct of one tamburlaine, presume a bickering with your emperor, and think to rouse us from our dreadful siege of the famous grecian constantinople. you know our army is invincible; as many circumcised turks we have, and warlike bands of christians renied, [ ] as hath the ocean or the terrene [ ] sea small drops of water when the moon begins to join in one her semicircled horns: yet would we not be brav'd with foreign power, nor raise our siege before the grecians yield, or breathless lie before the city-walls. king of fez. renowmed [ ] emperor and mighty general, what, if you sent the bassoes of your guard to charge him to remain in asia, or else to threaten death and deadly arms as from the mouth of mighty bajazeth? bajazeth. hie thee, my basso, [ ] fast to persia; tell him thy lord, the turkish emperor, dread lord of afric, europe, and asia, great king and conqueror of graecia, the ocean, terrene, and the coal-black sea, the high and highest monarch of the world, wills and commands, (for say not i entreat,) not [ ] once to set his foot in [ ] africa, or spread [ ] his colours in graecia, lest he incur the fury of my wrath: tell him i am content to take a truce, because i hear he bears a valiant mind: but if, presuming on his silly power, he be so mad to manage arms with me, then stay thou with him,--say, i bid thee so; and if, before the sun have measur'd heaven [ ] with triple circuit, thou regreet us not, we mean to take his morning's next arise for messenger he will not be reclaim'd, and mean to fetch thee in despite of him. basso. most great and puissant monarch of the earth, your basso will accomplish your behest, and shew your pleasure to the persian, as fits the legate of the stately turk. [exit.] king of argier. they say he is the king of persia; but, if he dare attempt to stir your siege, 'twere requisite he should be ten times more, for all flesh quakes at your magnificence. bajazeth. true, argier; and tremble[s] at my looks. king of morocco. the spring is hinder'd by your smothering host; for neither rain can fall upon the earth, nor sun reflex his virtuous beams thereon, the ground is mantled with such multitudes. bajazeth. all this is true as holy mahomet; and all the trees are blasted with our breaths. king of fez. what thinks your greatness best to be achiev'd in pursuit of the city's overthrow? bajazeth. i will the captive pioners [ ] of argier cut off the water that by leaden pipes runs to the city from the mountain carnon; two thousand horse shall forage up and down, that no relief or succour come by land; and all the sea my galleys countermand: then shall our footmen lie within the trench, and with their cannons, mouth'd like orcus' gulf, batter the walls, and we will enter in; and thus the grecians shall be conquered. [exeunt.] scene ii. enter zenocrate, agydas, anippe, with others. agydas. madam zenocrate, may i presume to know the cause of these unquiet fits that work such trouble to your wonted rest? 'tis more than pity such a heavenly face should by heart's sorrow wax so wan and pale, when your offensive rape by tamburlaine (which of your whole displeasures should be most) hath seem'd to be digested long ago. zenocrate. although it be digested long ago, as his exceeding favours have deserv'd, and might content the queen of heaven, as well as it hath chang'd my first-conceiv'd disdain; yet since a farther passion feeds my thoughts with ceaseless [ ] and disconsolate conceits, [ ] which dye my looks so lifeless as they are, and might, if my extremes had full events, make me the ghastly counterfeit [ ] of death. agydas. eternal heaven sooner be dissolv'd, and all that pierceth phoebus' silver eye, before such hap fall to zenocrate! zenocrate. ah, life and soul, still hover in his [ ] breast, and leave my body senseless as the earth, or else unite you [ ] to his life and soul, that i may live and die with tamburlaine! enter, behind, tamburlaine, with techelles, and others. agydas. with tamburlaine! ah, fair zenocrate, let not a man so vile and barbarous, that holds you from your father in despite, and keeps you from the honours of a queen, (being suppos'd his worthless concubine,) be honour'd with your love but for necessity! so, now the mighty soldan hears of you, your highness needs not doubt but in short time he will, with tamburlaine's destruction, redeem you from this deadly servitude. zenocrate. leave [ ] to wound me with these words, and speak of tamburlaine as he deserves: the entertainment we have had of him is far from villany or servitude, and might in noble minds be counted princely. agydas. how can you fancy one that looks so fierce, only dispos'd to martial stratagems? who, when he shall embrace you in his arms, will tell how many thousand men he slew; and, when you look for amorous discourse, will rattle forth his facts [ ] of war and blood, too harsh a subject for your dainty ears. zenocrate. as looks the sun through nilus' flowing stream, or when the morning holds him in her arms, so looks my lordly love, fair tamburlaine; his talk much [ ] sweeter than the muses' song they sung for honour 'gainst pierides, [ ] or when minerva did with neptune strive: and higher would i rear my estimate than juno, sister to the highest god, if i were match'd with mighty tamburlaine. agydas. yet be not so inconstant in your love, but let the young arabian [ ] live in hope, after your rescue to enjoy his choice. you see, though first the king of persia, being a shepherd, seem'd to love you much, now, in his majesty, he leaves those looks, those words of favour, and those comfortings, and gives no more than common courtesies. zenocrate. thence rise the tears that so distain my cheeks, fearing his love [ ] through my unworthiness. [tamburlaine goes to her, and takes her away lovingly by the hand, looking wrathfully on agydas, and says nothing. exeunt all except agydas.] agydas. betray'd by fortune and suspicious love, threaten'd with frowning wrath and jealousy, surpris'd with fear of [ ] hideous revenge, i stand aghast; but most astonied to see his choler shut in secret thoughts, and wrapt in silence of his angry soul: upon his brows was pourtray'd ugly death; and in his eyes the fury [ ] of his heart, that shone [ ] as comets, menacing revenge, and cast a pale complexion on his cheeks. as when the seaman sees the hyades gather an army of cimmerian clouds, (auster and aquilon with winged steeds, all sweating, tilt about the watery heavens, with shivering spears enforcing thunder-claps, and from their shields strike flames of lightning,) all-fearful folds his sails, and sounds the main, lifting his prayers to the heavens for aid against the terror of the winds and waves; so fares agydas for the late-felt frowns, that send [ ] a tempest to my daunted thoughts, and make my soul divine her overthrow. re-enter techelles with a naked dagger, and usumcasane. techelles. see you, agydas, how the king salutes you! he bids you prophesy what it imports. agydas. i prophesied before, and now i prove the killing frowns of jealousy and love. he needed not with words confirm my fear, for words are vain where working tools present the naked action of my threaten'd end: it says, agydas, thou shalt surely die, and of extremities elect the least; more honour and less pain it may procure, to die by this resolved hand of thine than stay the torments he and heaven have sworn. then haste, agydas, and prevent the plagues which thy prolonged fates may draw on thee: go wander free from fear of tyrant's rage, removed from the torments and the hell wherewith he may excruciate thy soul; and let agydas by agydas die, and with this stab slumber eternally. [stabs himself.] techelles. usumcasane, see, how right the man hath hit the meaning of my lord the king! usumcasane. faith, and, techelles, it was manly done; and, since he was so wise and honourable, let us afford him now the bearing hence, and crave his triple-worthy burial. techelles. agreed, casane; we will honour him. [exeunt, bearing out the body.] scene iii. enter tamburlaine, techelles, usumcasane, theridamas, a basso, zenocrate, anippe, with others. tamburlaine. basso, by this thy lord and master knows i mean to meet him in bithynia: see, how he comes! tush, turks are full of brags, and menace [ ] more than they can well perform. he meet me in the field, and fetch [ ] thee hence! alas, poor turk! his fortune is too weak t' encounter with the strength of tamburlaine: view well my camp, and speak indifferently; do not my captains and my soldiers look as if they meant to conquer africa? basso. your men are valiant, but their number few, and cannot terrify his mighty host: my lord, the great commander of the world, besides fifteen contributory kings, hath now in arms ten thousand janizaries, mounted on lusty mauritanian steeds, brought to the war by men of tripoly; two hundred thousand footmen that have serv'd in two set battles fought in graecia; and for the expedition of this war, if he think good, can from his garrisons withdraw as many more to follow him. techelles. the more he brings, the greater is the spoil; for, when they perish by our warlike hands, we mean to set [ ] our footmen on their steeds, and rifle all those stately janizars. tamburlaine. but will those kings accompany your lord? basso. such as his highness please; but some must stay to rule the provinces he late subdu'd. tamburlaine. [to his officers] then fight courageously: their crowns are yours; this hand shall set them on your conquering heads, that made me emperor of asia. usumcasane. let him bring millions infinite of men, unpeopling western africa and greece, yet we assure us of the victory. theridamas. even he, that in a trice vanquish'd two kings more mighty than the turkish emperor, shall rouse him out of europe, and pursue his scatter'd army till they yield or die. tamburlaine. well said, theridamas! speak in that mood; for will and shall best fitteth tamburlaine, whose smiling stars give him assured hope of martial triumph ere he meet his foes. i that am term'd the scourge and wrath of god, the only fear and terror of the world, will first subdue the turk, and then enlarge those christian captives which you keep as slaves, burdening their bodies with your heavy chains, and feeding them with thin and slender fare; that naked row about the terrene [ ] sea, and, when they chance to rest or breathe [ ] a space, are punish'd with bastones [ ] so grievously that they [ ] lie panting on the galleys' side, and strive for life at every stroke they give. these are the cruel pirates of argier, that damned train, the scum of africa, inhabited with straggling runagates, that make quick havoc of the christian blood: but, as i live, that town shall curse the time that tamburlaine set foot in africa. enter bajazeth, bassoes, the kings of fez, morocco, and argier; zabina and ebea. bajazeth. bassoes and janizaries of my guard, attend upon the person of your lord, the greatest potentate of africa. tamburlaine. techelles and the rest, prepare your swords; i mean t' encounter with that bajazeth. bajazeth. kings of fez, morocco, [ ] and argier, he calls me bajazeth, whom you call lord! note the presumption of this scythian slave!-- i tell thee, villain, those that lead my horse have to their names titles [ ] of dignity; and dar'st thou bluntly call me bajazeth? tamburlaine. and know, thou turk, that those which lead my horse shall lead thee captive thorough africa; and dar'st thou bluntly call me tamburlaine? bajazeth. by mahomet my kinsman's sepulchre, and by the holy alcoran i swear, he shall be made a chaste and lustless eunuch, and in my sarell [ ] tend my concubines; and all his captains, that thus stoutly stand, shall draw the chariot of my emperess, whom i have brought to see their overthrow! tamburlaine. by this my sword that conquer'd persia, thy fall shall make me famous through the world! i will not tell thee how i'll [ ] handle thee, but every common soldier of my camp shall smile to see thy miserable state. king of fez. what means the [ ] mighty turkish emperor, to talk with one so base as tamburlaine? king of morocco. ye moors and valiant men of barbary. how can ye suffer these indignities? king of argier. leave words, and let them feel your lances' points, which glided through the bowels of the greeks. bajazeth. well said, my stout contributory kings! your threefold army and my hugy [ ] host shall swallow up these base-born persians. techelles. puissant, renowm'd, [ ] and mighty tamburlaine, why stay we thus prolonging of [ ] their lives? theridamas. i long to see those crowns won by our swords, that we may rule [ ] as kings of africa. usumcasane. what coward would not fight for such a prize? tamburlaine. fight all courageously, and be you kings: i speak it, and my words are oracles. bajazeth. zabina, mother of three braver [ ] boys than hercules, that in his infancy did pash [ ] the jaws of serpents venomous; whose hands are made to gripe a warlike lance, their shoulders broad for complete armour fit, their limbs more large and of a bigger size than all the brats y-sprung [ ] from typhon's loins; who, when they come unto their father's age, will batter turrets with their manly fists;-- sit here upon this royal chair of state, and on thy head wear my imperial crown, until i bring this sturdy tamburlaine and all his captains bound in captive chains. zabina. such good success happen to bajazeth! tamburlaine. zenocrate, the loveliest maid alive, fairer than rocks of pearl and precious stone, the only paragon of tamburlaine; whose eyes are brighter than the lamps of heaven, and speech more pleasant than sweet harmony; that with thy looks canst clear the darken'd sky, and calm the rage of thundering jupiter; sit down by her, adorned with my crown, as if thou wert the empress of the world. stir not, zenocrate, until thou see me march victoriously with all my men, triumphing over him and these his kings, which i will bring as vassals to thy feet; till then, take thou my crown, vaunt of my worth, and manage words with her, as we will arms. zenocrate. and may my love, the king of persia, return with victory and free from wound! bajazeth. now shalt thou feel the force of turkish arms, which lately made all europe quake for fear. i have of turks, arabians, moors, and jews, enough to cover all bithynia: let thousands die; their slaughter'd carcasses shall serve for walls and bulwarks to the rest; and as the heads of hydra, so my power, subdu'd, shall stand as mighty as before: if they should yield their necks unto the sword, thy soldiers' arms could not endure to strike so many blows as i have heads for them. [ ] thou know'st not, foolish-hardy tamburlaine, what 'tis to meet me in the open field, that leave no ground for thee to march upon. tamburlaine. our conquering swords shall marshal us the way we use to march upon the slaughter'd foe, trampling their bowels with our horses' hoofs, brave horses bred on the [ ] white tartarian hills my camp is like to julius caesar's host, that never fought but had the victory; nor in pharsalia was there such hot war as these, my followers, willingly would have. legions of spirits, fleeting in the air, direct our bullets and our weapons' points, and make your strokes to wound the senseless light; [ ] and when she sees our bloody colours spread, then victory begins to take her flight, resting herself upon my milk-white tent.-- but come, my lords, to weapons let us fall; the field is ours, the turk, his wife, and all. [exit with his followers.] bajazeth. come, kings and bassoes, let us glut our swords, that thirst to drink the feeble persians' blood. [exit with his followers.] zabina. base concubine, must thou be plac'd by me that am the empress of the mighty turk? zenocrate. disdainful turkess, and unreverend boss, [ ] call'st thou me concubine, that am betroth'd unto the great and mighty tamburlaine? zabina. to tamburlaine, the great tartarian thief! zenocrate. thou wilt repent these lavish words of thine when thy great basso-master and thyself must plead for mercy at his kingly feet, and sue to me to be your advocate. [ ] zabina. and sue to thee! i tell thee, shameless girl, thou shalt be laundress to my waiting-maid.-- how lik'st thou her, ebea? will she serve? ebea. madam, she thinks perhaps she is too fine; but i shall turn her into other weeds, and make her dainty fingers fall to work. zenocrate. hear'st thou, anippe, how thy drudge doth talk? and how my slave, her mistress, menaceth? both for their sauciness shall be employ'd to dress the common soldiers' meat and drink; for we will scorn they should come near ourselves. anippe. yet sometimes let your highness send for them to do the work my chambermaid disdains. [they sound to the battle within.] zenocrate. ye gods and powers that govern persia, and made my lordly love her worthy king, now strengthen him against the turkish bajazeth, and let his foes, like flocks of fearful roes pursu'd by hunters, fly his angry looks, that i may see him issue conqueror! zabina. now, mahomet, solicit god himself, and make him rain down murdering shot from heaven, to dash the scythians' brains, and strike them dead, that dare [ ] to manage arms with him that offer'd jewels to thy sacred shrine when first he warr'd against the christians! [they sound again to the battle within.] zenocrate. by this the turks lie weltering in their blood, and tamburlaine is lord of africa. zabina. thou art deceiv'd. i heard the trumpets sound as when my emperor overthrew the greeks, and led them captive into africa. straight will i use thee as thy pride deserves; prepare thyself to live and die my slave. zenocrate. if mahomet should come from heaven and swear my royal lord is slain or conquered, yet should he not persuade me otherwise but that he lives and will be conqueror. re-enter bajazeth, pursued by tamburlaine. [ ] tamburlaine. now, king of bassoes, who is conqueror? bajazeth. thou, by the fortune of this damned foil. [ ] tamburlaine. where are your stout contributory kings? re-enter techelles, theridamas, and usumcasane. techelles. we have their crowns; their bodies strow the field. tamburlaine. each man a crown! why, kingly fought, i'faith. deliver them into my treasury. zenocrate. now let me offer to my gracious lord his royal crown again so highly won. tamburlaine. nay, take the turkish crown from her, zenocrate, and crown me emperor of africa. zabina. no, tamburlaine; though now thou gat [ ] the best, thou shalt not yet be lord of africa. theridamas. give her the crown, turkess, you were best. [takes it from her.] zabina. injurious villains, thieves, runagates, how dare you thus abuse my majesty? theridamas. here, madam, you are empress; she is none. [gives it to zenocrate.] tamburlaine. not now, theridamas; her time is past: the pillars, that have bolster'd up those terms, are faln in clusters at my conquering feet. zabina. though he be prisoner, he may be ransom'd. tamburlaine. not all the world shall ransom bajazeth. bajazeth. ah, fair zabina! we have lost the field; and never had the turkish emperor so great a foil by any foreign foe. now will the christian miscreants be glad, ringing with joy their superstitious bells, and making bonfires for my overthrow: but, ere i die, those foul idolaters shall make me bonfires with their filthy bones; for, though the glory of this day be lost, afric and greece have garrisons enough to make me sovereign of the earth again. tamburlaine. those walled garrisons will i subdue, and write myself great lord of africa: so from the east unto the furthest west shall tamburlaine extend his puissant arm. the galleys and those pilling [ ] brigandines, that yearly sail to the venetian gulf, and hover in the straits for christians' wreck, shall lie at anchor in the isle asant, until the persian fleet and men-of-war, sailing along the oriental sea, have fetch'd about the indian continent, even from persepolis to mexico, and thence unto the straits of jubalter; where they shall meet and join their force in one. keeping in awe the bay of portingale, and all the ocean by the british [ ] shore; and by this means i'll win the world at last. bajazeth. yet set a ransom on me, tamburlaine. tamburlaine. what, think'st thou tamburlaine esteems thy gold? i'll make the kings of india, ere i die, offer their mines, to sue for peace, to me, and dig for treasure to appease my wrath.-- come, bind them both, and one lead in the turk; the turkess let my love's maid lead away, [they bind them.] bajazeth. ah, villains, dare you touch my sacred arms?-- o mahomet! o sleepy mahomet! zabina. o cursed mahomet, that mak'st us thus the slaves to scythians rude and barbarous! tamburlaine. come, bring them in; and for this happy conquest triumph, and solemnize a martial [ ] feast. [exeunt.] act iv. scene i. enter the soldan of egypt, capolin, lords, and a messenger. soldan. awake, ye men of memphis! [ ] hear the clang of scythian trumpets; hear the basilisks, [ ] that, roaring, shake damascus' turrets down! the rogue of volga holds zenocrate, the soldan's daughter, for his concubine, and, with a troop of thieves and vagabonds, hath spread his colours to our high disgrace, while you, faint-hearted base egyptians, lie slumbering on the flowery banks of nile, as crocodiles that unaffrighted rest while thundering cannons rattle on their skins. messenger. nay, mighty soldan, did your greatness see the frowning looks of fiery tamburlaine, that with his terror and imperious eyes commands the hearts of his associates, it might amaze your royal majesty. soldan. villain, i tell thee, were that tamburlaine as monstrous [ ] as gorgon prince of hell, the soldan would not start a foot from him. but speak, what power hath he? messenger. mighty lord, three hundred thousand men in armour clad, upon their prancing steeds, disdainfully with wanton paces trampling on the ground; five hundred thousand footmen threatening shot, shaking their swords, their spears, and iron bills, environing their standard round, that stood as bristle-pointed as a thorny wood; their warlike engines and munition exceed the forces of their martial men. soldan. nay, could their numbers countervail the stars, or ever-drizzling [ ] drops of april showers, or wither'd leaves that autumn shaketh down, yet would the soldan by his conquering power so scatter and consume them in his rage, that not a man should [ ] live to rue their fall. capolin. so might your highness, had you time to sort your fighting men, and raise your royal host; but tamburlaine by expedition advantage takes of your unreadiness. soldan. let him take all th' advantages he can: were all the world conspir'd to fight for him, nay, were he devil, [ ] as he is no man, yet in revenge of fair zenocrate, whom he detaineth in despite of us, this arm should send him down to erebus, to shroud his shame in darkness of the night. messenger. pleaseth your mightiness to understand, his resolution far exceedeth all. the first day when he pitcheth down his tents, white is their hue, and on his silver crest a snowy feather spangled-white he bears, to signify the mildness of his mind, that, satiate with spoil, refuseth blood: but, when aurora mounts the second time, as red as scarlet is his furniture; then must his kindled wrath be quench'd with blood, not sparing any that can manage arms: but, if these threats move not submission, black are his colours, black pavilion; his spear, his shield, his horse, his armour, plumes, and jetty feathers, menace death and hell; without respect of sex, degree, or age, he razeth all his foes with fire and sword. soldan. merciless villain, peasant, ignorant of lawful arms or martial discipline! pillage and murder are his usual trades: the slave usurps the glorious name of war. see, capolin, the fair arabian king, [ ] that hath been disappointed by this slave of my fair daughter and his princely love, may have fresh warning to go war with us, and be reveng'd for her disparagement. [exeunt.] scene ii. enter tamburlaine, techelles, theridamas, usumcasane, zenocrate, anippe, two moors drawing bajazeth in a cage, and zabina following him. tamburlaine. bring out my footstool. [they take bajazeth out of the cage.] bajazeth. ye holy priests of heavenly mahomet, that, sacrificing, slice and cut your flesh, staining his altars with your purple blood, make heaven to frown, and every fixed star to suck up poison from the moorish fens, and pour it [ ] in this glorious tyrant's throat! tamburlaine. the chiefest god, first mover of that sphere enchas'd with thousands ever-shining lamps, will sooner burn the glorious frame of heaven than it should [ ] so conspire my overthrow. but, villain, thou that wishest this [ ] to me, fall prostrate on the low disdainful earth, and be the footstool of great tamburlaine, that i may rise into [ ] my royal throne. bajazeth. first shalt thou rip my bowels with thy sword, and sacrifice my heart [ ] to death and hell, before i yield to such a slavery. tamburlaine. base villain, vassal, slave to tamburlaine, unworthy to embrace or touch the ground that bears the honour of my royal weight; stoop, villain, stoop! stoop; [ ] for so he bids that may command thee piecemeal to be torn, or scatter'd like the lofty cedar-trees struck with the voice of thundering jupiter. bajazeth. then, as i look down to the damned fiends, fiends, look on me! and thou, dread god of hell, with ebon sceptre strike this hateful earth, and make it swallow both of us at once! [tamburlaine gets up on him into his chair.] tamburlaine. now clear the triple region of the air, and let the majesty of heaven behold their scourge and terror tread on emperors. smile, stars that reign'd at my nativity, and dim the brightness of your [ ] neighbour lamps; disdain to borrow light of cynthia! for i, the chiefest lamp of all the earth, first rising in the east with mild aspect, but fixed now in the meridian line, will send up fire to your turning spheres, and cause the sun to borrow light of you. my sword struck fire from his coat of steel, even in bithynia, when i took this turk; as when a fiery exhalation, wrapt in the bowels of a freezing cloud, fighting for passage, make[s] the welkin crack, and casts a flash of lightning to [ ] the earth: but, ere i march to wealthy persia, or leave damascus and th' egyptian fields, as was the fame of clymene's brain-sick son that almost brent [ ] the axle-tree of heaven, so shall our swords, our lances, and our shot fill all the air with fiery meteors; then, when the sky shall wax as red as blood, it shall be said i made it red myself, to make me think of naught but blood and war. zabina. unworthy king, that by thy cruelty unlawfully usurp'st the persian seat, dar'st thou, that never saw an emperor before thou met my husband in the field, being thy captive, thus abuse his state, keeping his kingly body in a cage, that roofs of gold and sun-bright palaces should have prepar'd to entertain his grace? and treading him beneath thy loathsome feet, whose feet the kings [ ] of africa have kiss'd? techelles. you must devise some torment worse, my lord, to make these captives rein their lavish tongues. tamburlaine. zenocrate, look better to your slave. zenocrate. she is my handmaid's slave, and she shall look that these abuses flow not from [ ] her tongue.-- chide her, anippe. anippe. let these be warnings, then, for you, [ ] my slave, how you abuse the person of the king; or else i swear to have you whipt stark nak'd. [ ] bajazeth. great tamburlaine, great in my overthrow, ambitious pride shall make thee fall as low, for treading on the back of bajazeth, that should be horsed on four mighty kings. tamburlaine. thy names, and titles, and thy dignities [ ] are fled from bajazeth, and remain with me, that will maintain it 'gainst a world of kings.-- put him in again. [they put him into the cage.] bajazeth. is this a place for mighty bajazeth? confusion light on him that helps thee thus! tamburlaine. there, whiles [ ] he lives, shall bajazeth be kept; and, where i go, be thus in triumph drawn; and thou, his wife, shalt [ ] feed him with the scraps my servitors shall bring thee from my board; for he that gives him other food than this, shall sit by him, and starve to death himself: this is my mind, and i will have it so. not all the kings and emperors of the earth, if they would lay their crowne before my feet, shall ransom him, or take him from his cage: the ages that shall talk of tamburlaine, even from this day to plato's wondrous year, shall talk how i have handled bajazeth: these moors, that drew him from bithynia to fair damascus, where we now remain, shall lead him with us wheresoe'er we go.-- techelles, and my loving followers, now may we see damascus' lofty towers, like to the shadows of pyramides that with their beauties grace [ ] the memphian fields. the golden stature [ ] of their feather'd bird, [ ] that spreads her wings upon the city-walls, shall not defend it from our battering shot: the townsmen mask in silk and cloth of gold, and every house is as a treasury; the men, the treasure, and the town are [ ] ours. theridamas. your tents of white now pitch'd before the gates, and gentle flags of amity display'd, i doubt not but the governor will yield, offering damascus to your majesty. tamburlaine. so shall he have his life, and all the rest: but, if he stay until the bloody flag be once advanc'd on my vermilion tent, he dies, and those that kept us out so long; and, when they see me march in black array, with mournful streamers hanging down their heads, were in that city all the world contain'd, not one should scape, but perish by our swords. zenocrate. yet would you have some pity for my sake, because it is my country [ ] and my father's. tamburlaine. not for the world, zenocrate, if i have sworn.-- come; bring in the turk. [exeunt.] scene iii. enter soldan, king of arabia, [ ] capolin, and soldiers, with streaming colours. soldan. methinks we march as meleager did, environed with brave argolian knights, to chase the savage calydonian [ ] boar, or cephalus, with lusty [ ] theban youths, against the wolf that angry themis sent to waste and spoil the sweet aonian fields. a monster of five hundred thousand heads, compact of rapine, piracy, and spoil, the scum of men, the hate and scourge of god, raves in aegyptia, and annoyeth us: my lord, it is the bloody tamburlaine, a sturdy felon, and [ ] a base-bred thief, by murder raised to the persian crown, that dare control us in our territories. to tame the pride of this presumptuous beast, join your arabians with the soldan's power; let us unite our royal bands in one, and hasten to remove damascus' siege. it is a blemish to the majesty and high estate of mighty emperors, that such a base usurping vagabond should brave a king, or wear a princely crown. king of arabia. renowmed [ ] soldan, have you lately heard the overthrow of mighty bajazeth about the confines of bithynia? the slavery wherewith he persecutes the noble turk and his great emperess? soldan. i have, and sorrow for his bad success; but, noble lord of great arabia, be so persuaded that the soldan is no more dismay'd with tidings of his fall, than in the haven when the pilot stands, and views a stranger's ship rent in the winds, and shivered against a craggy rock: yet in compassion to his wretched state, a sacred vow to heaven and him i make, confirming it with ibis' holy name, [ ] that tamburlaine shall rue the day, the [ ] hour, wherein he wrought such ignominious wrong unto the hallow'd person of a prince, or kept the fair zenocrate so long, as concubine, i fear, to feed his lust. king of arabia. let grief and fury hasten on revenge; let tamburlaine for his offences feel such plagues as heaven and we can pour on him: i long to break my spear upon his crest, and prove the weight of his victorious arm; for fame, i fear, hath been too prodigal in sounding through the world his partial praise. soldan. capolin, hast thou survey'd our powers? capolin. great emperors of egypt and arabia, the number of your hosts united is, a hundred and fifty thousand horse, two hundred thousand foot, brave men-at-arms, courageous and [ ] full of hardiness, as frolic as the hunters in the chase of savage beasts amid the desert woods. king of arabia. my mind presageth fortunate success; and, tamburlaine, my spirit doth foresee the utter ruin of thy men and thee. soldan. then rear your standards; let your sounding drums direct our soldiers to damascus' walls.-- now, tamburlaine, the mighty soldan comes, and leads with him the great arabian king, to dim thy baseness and [ ] obscurity, famous for nothing but for theft and spoil; to raze and scatter thy inglorious crew of scythians and slavish persians. [exeunt.] scene iv. a banquet set out; and to it come tamburlaine all in scarlet, zenocrate, theridamas, techelles, usumcasane, bajazeth drawn in his cage, zabina, and others. tamburlaine. now hang our bloody colours by damascus, reflexing hues of blood upon their heads, while they walk quivering on their city-walls, half-dead for fear before they feel my wrath. then let us freely banquet, and carouse full bowls of wine unto the god of war, that means to fill your helmets full of gold, and make damascus' spoils as rich to you as was to jason colchos' golden fleece.-- and now, bajazeth, hast thou any stomach? bajazeth. ay, such a stomach, cruel tamburlaine, as i could willingly feed upon thy blood-raw heart. tamburlaine. nay, thine own is easier to come by: pluck out that; and 'twill serve thee and thy wife.--well, zenocrate, techelles, and the rest, fall to your victuals. bajazeth. fall to, and never may your meat digest!-- ye furies, that can mask [ ] invisible, dive to the bottom of avernus' pool, and in your hands bring hellish poison up, and squeeze it in the cup of tamburlaine! or, winged snakes of lerna, cast your stings, and leave your venoms in this tyrant's dish? zabina. and may this banquet prove as ominous as progne's to th' adulterous thracian king that fed upon the substance of his child! zenocrate. my lord, [ ] how can you suffer these outrageous curses by these slaves of yours? tamburlaine. to let them see, divine zenocrate, i glory in the curses of my foes, having the power from the empyreal heaven to turn them all upon their proper heads. techelles. i pray you, give them leave, madam; this speech is a goodly refreshing for them. [ ] theridamas. but, if his highness would let them be fed, it would do them more good. tamburlaine. sirrah, why fall you not to? are you so daintily brought up, you cannot eat your own flesh? bajazeth. first, legions of devils shall tear thee in pieces. usumcasane. villain, knowest thou to whom thou speakest? tamburlaine. o, let him alone.--here; [ ] eat, sir; take it from [ ] my sword's point, or i'll thrust it to thy heart. [bajazeth takes the food, and stamps upon it.] theridamas. he stamps it under his feet, my lord. tamburlaine. take it up, villain, and eat it; or i will make thee slice [ ] the brawns of thy arms into carbonadoes and eat them. usumcasane. nay, 'twere better he killed his wife, and then she shall be sure not to be starved, and he be provided for a month's victual beforehand. tamburlaine. here is my dagger: despatch her while she is fat; for, if she live but a while longer, she will fall [ ] into a consumption with fretting, and then she will not be worth the eating. theridamas. dost thou think that mahomet will suffer this? techelles. 'tis like he will, when he cannot let [ ] it. tamburlaine. go to; fall to your meat. what, not a bit!--belike he hath not been watered to-day: give him some drink. [they give bajazeth water to drink, and he flings it on the ground.] fast, and welcome, sir, while [ ] hunger make you eat.--how now, zenocrate! doth not the turk and his wife make a goodly show at a banquet? zenocrate. yes, my lord. theridamas. methinks 'tis a great deal better than a consort [ ] of music. tamburlaine. yet music would do well to cheer up zenocrate. pray thee, tell why art thou so sad? if thou wilt have a song, the turk shall strain his voice: but why is it? zenocrate. my lord, to see my father's town besieg'd, the country wasted where myself was born, how can it but afflict my very soul? if any love remain in you, my lord, or if my love unto your majesty may merit favour at your highness' hands, then raise your siege from fair damascus' walls, and with my father take a friendly truce. tamburlaine. zenocrate, were egypt jove's own land, yet would i with my sword make jove to stoop. i will confute those blind geographers that make a triple region in the world, excluding regions which i mean to trace, and with this pen [ ] reduce them to a map, calling the provinces, cities, and towns, after my name and thine, zenocrate: here at damascus will i make the point that shall begin the perpendicular: and wouldst thou have me buy thy father's love with such a loss? tell me, zenocrate. zenocrate. honour still wait on happy tamburlaine! yet give me leave to plead for him, my lord. tamburlaine. content thyself: his person shall be safe, and all the friends of fair zenocrate, if with their lives they will be pleas'd to yield, or may be forc'd to make me emperor; for egypt and arabia must be mine.-- feed, you slave; thou mayst think thyself happy to be fed from my trencher. bajazeth. my empty stomach, full of idle heat, draws bloody humours from my feeble parts, preserving life by hastening [ ] cruel death. my veins are pale; my sinews hard and dry; my joints benumb'd; unless i eat, i die. zabina. eat, bajazeth; let us live in spite of them, looking some happy power will pity and enlarge us. tamburlaine. here, turk; wilt thou have a clean trencher? bajazeth. ay, tyrant, and more meat. tamburlaine. soft, sir! you must be dieted; too much eating will make you surfeit. theridamas. so it would, my lord, 'specially [ ] having so small a walk and so little exercise. [a second course is brought in of crowns.] tamburlaine. theridamas, techelles, and casane, here are the cates you desire to finger, are they not? theridamas. ay, my lord: but none save kings must feed with these. techelles. 'tis enough for us to see them, and for tamburlaine only to enjoy them. tamburlaine. well; here is now to the soldan of egypt, the king of arabia, and the governor of damascus. now, take these three crowns, and pledge me, my contributory kings. i crown you here, theridamas, king of argier; techelles, king of fez; and usumcasane, king of morocco. [ ]--how say you to this, turk? these are not your contributory kings. bajazeth. nor shall they long be thine, i warrant them. tamburlaine. kings of argier, morocco, and of fez, you that have march'd with happy tamburlaine as far as from the frozen plage [ ] of heaven unto the watery morning's ruddy bower, and thence by land unto the torrid zone, deserve these titles i endow you with by valour [ ] and by magnanimity. your births shall be no blemish to your fame; for virtue is the fount whence honour springs, and they are worthy she investeth kings. theridamas. and, since your highness hath so well vouchsaf'd, if we deserve them not with higher meeds than erst our states and actions have retain'd, take them away again, [ ] and make us slaves. tamburlaine. well said, theridamas: when holy fates shall stablish me in strong aegyptia, we mean to travel to th' antarctic pole, conquering the people underneath our feet, and be renowm'd [ ] as never emperors were.-- zenocrate, i will not crown thee yet, until with greater honours i be grac'd. [exeunt.] act v. scene i. enter the governor of damascus [ ] with three or four citizens, and four virgins with branches of laurel in their hands. governor. still doth this man, or rather god of war, batter our walls and beat our turrets down; and to resist with longer stubbornness, or hope of rescue from the soldan's power, were but to bring our wilful overthrow, and make us desperate of our threaten'd lives. we see his tents have now been altered with terrors to the last and cruel'st hue; his coal-black colours, every where advanc'd, threaten our city with a general spoil; and, if we should with common rites of arms offer our safeties to his clemency, i fear the custom proper to his sword, which he observes as parcel of his fame, intending so to terrify the world, by any innovation or remorse [ ] will never be dispens'd with till our deaths. therefore, for these our harmless virgins' sakes, [ ] whose honours and whose lives rely on him, let us have hope that their unspotted prayers, their blubber'd [ ] cheeks, and hearty humble moans, will melt his fury into some remorse, and use us like a loving conqueror. [ ] first virgin. if humble suite or imprecations (utter'd with tears of wretchedness and blood shed from the heads and hearts of all our sex, some made your wives, and some your children,) might have entreated your obdurate breasts to entertain some care [ ] of our securities whiles only danger beat upon our walls, these more than dangerous warrants of our death had never been erected as they be, nor you depend on such weak helps [ ] as we. governor. well, lovely virgins, think our country's care, our love of honour, loath to be enthrall'd to foreign powers and rough imperious yokes, would not with too much cowardice or [ ] fear, before all hope of rescue were denied, submit yourselves and us to servitude. therefore, in that your safeties and our own, your honours, liberties, and lives were weigh'd in equal care and balance with our own, endure as we the malice of our stars, the wrath of tamburlaine and power [ ] of wars; or be the means the overweighing heavens have kept to qualify these hot extremes, and bring us pardon in your cheerful looks. second virgin. then here, before the majesty of heaven and holy patrons of aegyptia, with knees and hearts submissive we entreat grace to our words and pity to our looks, that this device may prove propitious, and through the eyes and ears of tamburlaine convey events of mercy to his heart; grant that these signs of victory we yield may bind the temples of his conquering head, to hide the folded furrows of his brows, and shadow his displeased countenance with happy looks of ruth and lenity. leave us, my lord, and loving countrymen: what simple virgins may persuade, we will. governor. farewell, sweet virgins, on whose safe return depends our city, liberty, and lives. [exeunt all except the virgins.] enter tamburlaine, all in black and very melancholy, techelles, theridamas, usumcasane, with others. tamburlaine. what, are the turtles fray'd out of their nests? alas, poor fools, must you be first shall feel the sworn destruction of damascus? they knew [ ] my custom; could they not as well have sent ye out when first my milk-white flags, through which sweet mercy threw her gentle beams, reflexed [ ] them on their [ ] disdainful eyes, as [ ] now when fury and incensed hate flings slaughtering terror from my coal-black tents, [ ] and tells for truth submission [ ] comes too late? first virgin. most happy king and emperor of the earth, image of honour and nobility, for whom the powers divine have made the world, and on whose throne the holy graces sit; in whose sweet person is compris'd the sum of nature's skill and heavenly majesty; pity our plights! o, pity poor damascus! pity old age, within whose silver hairs honour and reverence evermore have reign'd! pity the marriage-bed, where many a lord, in prime and glory of his loving joy, embraceth now with tears of ruth and [ ] blood the jealous body of his fearful wife, whose cheeks and hearts, so punish'd with conceit, [ ] to think thy puissant never-stayed arm will part their bodies, and prevent their souls from heavens of comfort yet their age might bear, now wax all pale and wither'd to the death, as well for grief our ruthless governor hath [ ] thus refus'd the mercy of thy hand, (whose sceptre angels kiss and furies dread,) as for their liberties, their loves, or lives! o, then, for these, and such as we ourselves, for us, for infants, and for all our bloods, that never nourish'd [ ] thought against thy rule, pity, o, pity, sacred emperor, the prostrate service of this wretched town; and take in sign thereof this gilded wreath, whereto each man of rule hath given his hand, and wish'd, [ ] as worthy subjects, happy means to be investers of thy royal brows even with the true egyptian diadem! tamburlaine. virgins, in vain you labour to prevent that which mine honour swears shall be perform'd. behold my sword; what see you at the point? first virgin. nothing but fear and fatal steel, my lord. tamburlaine. your fearful minds are thick and misty, then, for there sits death; there sits imperious [ ] death, keeping his circuit by the slicing edge. but i am pleas'd you shall not see him there; he now is seated on my horsemen's spears, and on their points his fleshless body feeds.-- techelles, straight go charge a few of them to charge these dames, and shew my servant death, sitting in scarlet on their armed spears. virgins. o, pity us! tamburlaine. away with them, i say, and shew them death! [the virgins are taken out by techelles and others.] i will not spare these proud egyptians, nor change my martial observations for all the wealth of gihon's golden waves, or for the love of venus, would she leave the angry god of arms and lie with me. they have refus'd the offer of their lives, and know my customs are as peremptory as wrathful planets, death, or destiny. re-enter techelles. what, have your horsemen shown the virgins death? techelles. they have, my lord, and on damascus' walls have hoisted up their slaughter'd carcasses. tamburlaine. a sight as baneful to their souls, i think, as are thessalian drugs or mithridate: but go, my lords, put the rest to the sword. [exeunt all except tamburlaine.] ah, fair zenocrate!--divine zenocrate! fair is too foul an epithet for thee,-- that in thy passion [ ] for thy country's love, and fear to see thy kingly father's harm, with hair dishevell'd wip'st thy watery cheeks; and, like to flora in her morning's pride, shaking her silver tresses in the air, rain'st on the earth resolved [ ] pearl in showers, and sprinklest sapphires on thy shining face, where beauty, mother to the muses, sits, and comments volumes with her ivory pen, taking instructions from thy flowing eyes; eyes, when that ebena steps to heaven, [ ] in silence of thy solemn evening's walk, making the mantle of the richest night, the moon, the planets, and the meteors, light; there angels in their crystal armours fight [ ] a doubtful battle with my tempted thoughts for egypt's freedom and the soldan's life, his life that so consumes zenocrate; whose sorrows lay more siege unto my soul than all my army to damascus' walls; and neither persia's [ ] sovereign nor the turk troubled my senses with conceit of foil so much by much as doth zenocrate. what is beauty, saith my sufferings, then? if all the pens that ever poets held had fed the feeling of their masters' thoughts, and every sweetness that inspir'd their hearts, their minds, and muses on admired themes; if all the heavenly quintessence they still [ ] from their immortal flowers of poesy, wherein, as in a mirror, we perceive the highest reaches of a human wit; if these had made one poem's period, and all combin'd in beauty's worthiness, yet should there hover in their restless heads one thought, one grace, one wonder, at the least, which into words no virtue can digest. but how unseemly is it for my sex, my discipline of arms and chivalry, my nature, and the terror of my name, to harbour thoughts effeminate and faint! save only that in beauty's just applause, with whose instinct the soul of man is touch'd; and every warrior that is rapt with love of fame, of valour, and of victory, must needs have beauty beat on his conceits: i thus conceiving, [ ] and subduing both, that which hath stoop'd the chiefest of the gods, even from the fiery-spangled veil of heaven, to feel the lovely warmth of shepherds' flames, and mask in cottages of strowed reeds, shall give the world to note, for all my birth, that virtue solely is the sum of glory, and fashions men with true nobility.-- who's within there? enter attendants. hath bajazeth been fed to-day? attend. [ ] ay, my lord. tamburlaine. bring him forth; and let us know if the town be ransacked. [exeunt attendants.] enter techelles, theridamas, usumcasane, and others. techelles. the town is ours, my lord, and fresh supply of conquest and of spoil is offer'd us. tamburlaine. that's well, techelles. what's the news? techelles. the soldan and the arabian king together march on us with [ ] such eager violence as if there were no way but one with us. [ ] tamburlaine. no more there is not, i warrant thee, techelles. attendants bring in bajazeth in his cage, followed by zabina. exeunt attendants. theridamas. we know the victory is ours, my lord; but let us save the reverend soldan's life for fair zenocrate that so laments his state. tamburlaine. that will we chiefly see unto, theridamas, for sweet zenocrate, whose worthiness deserves a conquest over every heart.-- and now, my footstool, if i lose the field, you hope of liberty and restitution?-- here let him stay, my masters, from the tents, till we have made us ready for the field.-- pray for us, bajazeth; we are going. [exeunt all except bajazeth and zabina.] bajazeth. go, never to return with victory! millions of men encompass thee about, and gore thy body with as many wounds! sharp forked arrows light upon thy horse! furies from the black cocytus' lake, break up the earth, and with their fire-brands enforce thee run upon the baneful pikes! vollies of shot pierce through thy charmed skin, and every bullet dipt in poison'd drugs! or roaring cannons sever all thy joints, making thee mount as high as eagles soar! zabina. let all the swords and lances in the field stick in his breast as in their proper rooms! at every pore [ ] let blood come dropping forth, that lingering pains may massacre his heart, and madness send his damned soul to hell! bajazeth. ah, fair zabina! we may curse his power, the heavens may frown, the earth for anger quake; but such a star hath influence in [ ] his sword as rules the skies and countermands the gods more than cimmerian styx or destiny: and then shall we in this detested guise, with shame, with hunger, and with horror stay, [ ] griping our bowels with retorqued [ ] thoughts, and have no hope to end our ecstasies. zabina. then is there left no mahomet, no god, no fiend, no fortune, nor no hope of end to our infamous, monstrous slaveries. gape, earth, and let the fiends infernal view a [ ] hell as hopeless and as full of fear as are the blasted banks of erebus, where shaking ghosts with ever-howling groans hover about the ugly ferryman, to get a passage to elysium! [ ] why should we live?--o, wretches, beggars, slaves!-- why live we, bajazeth, and build up nests so high within the region of the air, by living long in this oppression, that all the world will see and laugh to scorn the former triumphs of our mightiness in this obscure infernal servitude? bajazeth. o life, more loathsome to my vexed thoughts [ ] than noisome parbreak [ ] of the stygian snakes, which fills the nooks of hell with standing air, infecting all the ghosts with cureless griefs! o dreary engines of my loathed sight, that see my crown, my honour, and my name thrust under yoke and thraldom of a thief, why feed ye still on day's accursed beams, and sink not quite into my tortur'd soul? you see my wife, my queen, and emperess, brought up and propped by the hand of fame, queen of fifteen contributory queens, now thrown to rooms of black abjection, [ ] smeared with blots of basest drudgery, and villainess [ ] to shame, disdain, and misery. accursed bajazeth, whose words of ruth, [ ] that would with pity cheer zabina's heart, and make our souls resolve [ ] in ceaseless tears, sharp hunger bites upon and gripes the root from whence the issues of my thoughts do break! o poor zabina! o my queen, my queen! fetch me some water for my burning breast, to cool and comfort me with longer date, that, in the shorten'd sequel of my life, i may pour forth my soul into thine arms with words of love, whose moaning intercourse hath hitherto been stay'd with wrath and hate of our expressless bann'd [ ] inflictions. zabina. sweet bajazeth, i will prolong thy life as long as any blood or spark of breath can quench or cool the torments of my grief. [exit.] bajazeth. now, bajazeth, abridge thy baneful days, and beat the [ ] brains out of thy conquer'd head, since other means are all forbidden me, that may be ministers of my decay. o highest lamp of ever-living [ ] jove, accursed day, infected with my griefs, hide now thy stained face in endless night, and shut the windows of the lightsome heavens! let ugly darkness with her rusty coach, engirt with tempests, wrapt in pitchy clouds, smother the earth with never-fading mists, and let her horses from their nostrils breathe rebellious winds and dreadful thunder-claps, that in this terror tamburlaine may live, and my pin'd soul, resolv'd in liquid air, may still excruciate his tormented thoughts! then let the stony dart of senseless cold pierce through the centre of my wither'd heart, and make a passage for my loathed life! [he brains himself against the cage.] re-enter zabina. zabina. what do mine eyes behold? my husband dead! his skull all riven in twain! his brains dash'd out, the brains of bajazeth, my lord and sovereign! o bajazeth, my husband and my lord! o bajazeth! o turk! o emperor! give him his liquor? not i. bring milk and fire, and my blood i bring him again.--tear me in pieces--give [ ] me the sword with a ball of wild-fire upon it.--down with him! down with him!--go to my child; away, away, away! ah, save that infant! save him, save him!--i, even i, speak to her. [ ]--the sun was down--streamers white, red, black--here, here, here!--fling the meat in his face--tamburlaine, tamburlaine!--let the soldiers be buried.--hell, death, tamburlaine, [ ] hell!--make ready my coach, [ ] my chair, my jewels.--i come, i come, i come! [ ] [she runs against the cage, and brains herself.] enter zenocrate with anippe. zenocrate. wretched zenocrate! that liv'st to see damascus' walls dy'd with egyptians' [ ] blood, thy father's subjects and thy countrymen; the [ ] streets strow'd with dissever'd joints of men, and wounded bodies gasping yet for life; but most accurs'd, to see the sun-bright troop of heavenly virgins and unspotted maids (whose looks might make the angry god of arms to break his sword and mildly treat of love) on horsemen's lances to be hoisted up, and guiltlessly endure a cruel death; for every fell and stout tartarian steed, that stamp'd on others with their thundering hoofs, when all their riders charg'd their quivering spears, began to check the ground and rein themselves, gazing upon the beauty of their looks. ah, tamburlaine, wert thou the cause of this, that term'st zenocrate thy dearest love? whose lives were dearer to zenocrate than her own life, or aught save thine own love. but see, another bloody spectacle! ah, wretched eyes, the enemies of my heart, how are ye glutted with these grievous objects, and tell my soul more tales of bleeding ruth!-- see, see, anippe, if they breathe or no. anippe. no breath, nor sense, nor motion, in them both: ah, madam, this their slavery hath enforc'd, and ruthless cruelty of tamburlaine! zenocrate. earth, cast up fountains from thy [ ] entrails, and wet thy cheeks for their untimely deaths; shake with their weight in sign of fear and grief! blush, heaven, that gave them honour at their birth, and let them die a death so barbarous! those that are proud of fickle empery and place their chiefest good in earthly pomp, behold the turk and his great emperess! ah, tamburlaine my love, sweet tamburlaine, that fight'st for sceptres and for slippery crowns, behold the turk and his great emperess! thou that, in conduct of thy happy stars, sleep'st every night with conquest on thy brows, and yet wouldst shun the wavering turns of war, [ ] in fear and feeling of the like distress behold the turk and his great emperess! ah, mighty jove and holy mahomet, pardon my love! o, pardon his contempt of earthly fortune and respect of pity; and let not conquest, ruthlessly pursu'd, be equally against his life incens'd in this great turk and hapless emperess! and pardon me that was not mov'd with ruth to see them live so long in misery!-- ah, what may chance to thee, zenocrate? anippe. madam, content yourself, and be resolv'd your love hath fortune so at his command, that she shall stay, and turn her wheel no more, as long as life maintains his mighty arm that fights for honour to adorn your head. enter philemus. zenocrate. what other heavy news now brings philemus? philemus. madam, your father, and the arabian king, the first affecter of your excellence, come [ ] now, as turnus 'gainst aeneas did, armed [ ] with lance into the aegyptian fields, ready for battle 'gainst my lord the king. zenocrate. now shame and duty, love and fear present a thousand sorrows to my martyr'd soul. whom should i wish the fatal victory, when my poor pleasures are divided thus, and rack'd by duty from my cursed heart? my father and my first-betrothed love must fight against my life and present love; wherein the change i use condemns my faith, and makes my deeds infamous through the world: but, as the gods, to end the trojans' toil, prevented turnus of lavinia, and fatally enrich'd aeneas' love, so, for a final [ ] issue to my griefs, to pacify my country and my love, must tamburlaine by their resistless powers, with virtue of a gentle victory, conclude a league of honour to my hope; then, as the powers divine have pre-ordain'd, with happy safety of my father's life send like defence of fair arabia [they sound to the battle within; and tamburlaine enjoys the victory: after which, the king of arabia [ ] enters wounded.] king of arabia. what cursed power guides the murdering hands of this infamous tyrant's soldiers, that no escape may save their enemies, nor fortune keep themselves from victory? lie down, arabia, wounded to the death, and let zenocrate's fair eyes behold, that, as for her thou bear'st these wretched arms, even so for her thou diest in these arms, leaving thy [ ] blood for witness of thy love. zenocrate. too dear a witness for such love, my lord! behold zenocrate, the cursed object whose fortunes never mastered her griefs; behold her wounded in conceit [ ] for thee, as much as thy fair body is for me! king of arabia. then shall i die with full contented heart, having beheld divine zenocrate, whose sight with joy would take away my life as now it bringeth sweetness to my wound, if i had not been wounded as i am. ah, that the deadly pangs i suffer now would lend an hour's licence to my tongue, to make discourse of some sweet accidents have chanc'd thy merits in this worthless bondage, and that i might be privy to the state of thy deserv'd contentment and thy love! but, making now a virtue of thy sight, to drive all sorrow from my fainting soul, since death denies me further cause of joy, depriv'd of care, my heart with comfort dies, since thy desired hand shall close mine eyes. [dies.] re-enter tamburlaine, leading the soldan; techelles, theridamas, usumcasane, with others. tamburlaine. come, happy father of zenocrate, a title higher than thy soldan's name. though my right hand have [ ] thus enthralled thee, thy princely daughter here shall set thee free; she that hath calm'd the fury of my sword, which had ere this been bath'd in streams of blood as vast and deep as euphrates [ ] or nile. zenocrate. o sight thrice-welcome to my joyful soul, to see the king, my father, issue safe from dangerous battle of my conquering love! soldan. well met, my only dear zenocrate, though with the loss of egypt and my crown! tamburlaine. 'twas i, my lord, that gat the victory; and therefore grieve not at your overthrow, since i shall render all into your hands, and add more strength to your dominions than ever yet confirm'd th' egyptian crown. the god of war resigns his room to me, meaning to make me general of the world: jove, viewing me in arms, looks pale and wan, fearing my power should [ ] pull him from his throne: where'er i come the fatal sisters sweat, [ ] and grisly death, by running to and fro, to do their ceaseless homage to my sword: and here in afric, where it seldom rains, since i arriv'd with my triumphant host, have swelling clouds, drawn from wide-gaping [ ] wounds, been oft resolv'd [ ] in bloody purple showers, a meteor that might terrify the earth, and make it quake at every drop it drinks: millions [ ] of souls sit on the banks of styx, waiting the back-return of charon's boat; hell and elysium [ ] swarm with ghosts of men that i have sent from sundry foughten fields to spread my fame through hell and up to heaven: and see, my lord, a sight of strange import,-- emperors and kings lie breathless at my feet; the turk and his great empress, as it seems, left to themselves while we were at the fight, have desperately despatch'd their slavish lives: with them arabia, too, hath left his life: all sights of power to grace my victory; and such are objects fit for tamburlaine, wherein, as in a mirror, may be seen his honour, that consists in shedding blood when men presume to manage arms with him. soldan. mighty hath god and mahomet made thy hand, renowmed [ ] tamburlaine, to whom all kings of force must yield their crowns and emperies; and i am pleas'd with this my overthrow, if, as beseems a person of thy state, thou hast with honour us'd zenocrate. tamburlaine. her state and person want no pomp, you see; and for all blot of foul inchastity, i record [ ] heaven, her heavenly self is clear: then let me find no further time [ ] to grace her princely temples with the persian crown; but here these kings that on my fortunes wait, and have been crown'd for proved worthiness even by this hand that shall establish them, shall now, adjoining all their hands with mine, invest her here the [ ] queen of persia what saith the noble soldan, and zenocrate? soldan. i yield with thanks and protestations of endless honour to thee for her love. tamburlaine. then doubt i not [ ] but fair zenocrate will soon consent to satisfy us both. zenocrate. else [ ] should i much forget myself, my lord. theridamas. then let us set the crown upon her head, that long hath linger'd for so high a seat. techelles. my hand is ready to perform the deed; for now her marriage-time shall work us rest. usumcasane. and here's the crown, my lord; help set it on. [ ] tamburlaine. then sit thou down, divine zenocrate; and here we crown thee queen of persia, and all the kingdoms and dominions that late the power of tamburlaine subdu'd. as juno, when the giants were suppress'd, that darted mountains at her brother jove, so looks my love, shadowing in her brows triumphs and trophies for my victories; or as latona's daughter, bent to arms, adding more courage to my conquering mind. to gratify the[e], sweet zenocrate, egyptians, moors, and men of asia, from barbary unto the western india, shall pay a yearly tribute to thy sire; and from the bounds of afric to the banks of ganges shall his mighty arm extend.-- and now, my lords and loving followers, that purchas'd kingdoms by your martial deeds, cast off your armour, put on scarlet robes, mount up your royal places of estate, environed with troops of noblemen, and there make laws to rule your provinces: hang up your weapons on alcides' post[s]; for tamburlaine takes truce with all the world.-- thy first-betrothed love, arabia, shall we with honour, as beseems, [ ] entomb with this great turk and his fair emperess. then, after all these solemn exequies, we will our rites [ ] of marriage solemnize. [exeunt.] footnotes: [footnote : to the gentlemen-readers, &c.] from the vo of : in the tos this address is worded here and there differently. i have not thought it necessary to mark the varioe lectiones of the worthy printer's composition.] [footnote : histories] i.e. dramas so called,--plays founded on history.] [footnote : fond] i.e. foolish.--concerning the omissions here alluded to, some remarks will be found in the account of marlowe and his writings.] the "account of marlowe and his writings," is the introduction to this book of 'the works of christopher marlowe.' that is, the book from which this play has been transcribed. the following is from pages xvi and xvii of that introduction. "this tragedy, which was entered in the stationers' books, th august, ,[a] and printed during the same year, has not come down to us in its original fulness; and probably we have no cause to lament the curtailments which it suffered from the publisher of the first edition. "i have purposely," he says, "omitted and left out some fond and frivolous gestures, digressing, and, in my poor opinion, far unmeet for the matter, which i thought might seem more tedious unto the wise than any way else to be regarded, though haply they have been of some vain-conceited fondlings greatly gaped at, what time they were shewed upon the stage in their graced deformities: nevertheless now to be mixtured in print with such matter of worth, it would prove a great disgrace to so honourable and stately a history."[b] by the words, "fond and frivolous gestures," we are to understand those of the "clown;" who very frequently figured, with more or less prominence, even in the most serious dramas of the time. the introduction of such buffooneries into tragedy[c] is censured by hall towards the conclusion of a passage which, as it mentions "the turkish tamberlaine," would seem to be partly levelled at marlowe:[d] "one higher-pitch'd doth set his soaring thought on crowned kings that fortune hath low brought, or some vpreared high-aspiring swaine, as it might be the turkish tamberlaine. then weeneth he his base drink-drowned spright rapt to the three-fold loft of heauen hight, when he conceiues vpon his fained stage the stalking steps of his greate personage, graced with huf-cap termes and thundring threats, that his poore hearers' hayre quite vpright sets. * * * * * * * * * now, least such frightfull showes of fortune's fall and bloudy tyrants' rage should chance apall the dead-stroke audience, midst the silent rout comes leaping in a selfe-misformed lout, and laughes, and grins, and frames his mimik face, and iustles straight into the prince's place: then doth the theatre eccho all aloud with gladsome noyse of that applauding crowd: a goodly hoch-poch, when vile russettings are match['d] with monarchs and with mightie kings!"[e] but hall's taste was more refined and classical than that of his age; and the success of tamburlaine, in which the celebrated alleyn represented the hero,[f] was adequate to the most sanguine expectations which its author could have formed.] [a] "a ballad entituled the storye of tamburlayne the greate," &c. (founded, i suppose, on marlowe's play) was entered in the stationers' books, th nov. . [b] p. of the present volume. [c] in italy, at the commencement of the th century (and probably much later), it was not unusual to introduce "the doctor," "harlequin," "pantalone," and "coviello," into deep tragedies. "i have seen," says addison, "a translation of the cid acted at bolonia, which would never have taken, had they not found a place in it for these buffoons." remarks on several parts of italy, &c. in the years , , , p. , ed. . [d] perhaps i ought to add, that marlowe was dead when (in ) the satire, from which these lines are quoted, was first given to the press. [e] hall's virgid. lib. i. sat. iii., ed. . [f] see heywood's prol. to our author's jew of malta, p. of the present volume.[see the project gutenberg e-text of 'the jew of malta.' "] [footnote : censures] i.e. judgments, opinions.] [footnote : afric] so the vo.--the to "affrica."] [footnote : their] old eds. "his."] [footnote : through] so the to.--the vo "thorough."] [footnote : incivil] i.e. barbarous.--so the vo.--the to "vnciuill."] [footnote : incontinent] i.e. forthwith, immediately.] [footnote : chiefest] so the vo.--the to "chiefe."] [footnote : rout] i.e. crew.] [footnote : press] so the vo.--the to "prease."] [footnote : you] so the vo.-- mitted in the to.] [footnote : all] so the to.-- mitted in the vo.] [footnote : mated] i.e. confounded.] [footnote : pass not] i.e. care not.] [footnote : regiment] i.e. rule, government.] [footnote : resolve] i.e. dissolve.--so the vo.--the to "dissolue."] [footnote : ships] so the to.--the vo "shippe."] [footnote : pass] so the vo.--the to "hast."] [footnote : you] so the vo.--the to "they."] [footnote : ceneus] here both the old eds. "conerus."] [footnote : states] i.e. noblemen, persons of rank.] [footnote : their] so the vo.--the to "the."] [footnote : and persia] so the vo.--the to "and of persia."] [footnote : ever-raging] so the vo.--the to "riuer raging."] [footnote : all] so the to.--omitted in the vo.] [footnote : and jove may, &c.] i.e. and may jove, &c. this collocation of words is sometimes found in later writers: so in the prologue to fletcher's woman's prize,--"which this may prove!"] [footnote : knew] so the vo.--the to "knowe."] [footnote : lords] so the to.--the vo "lord."] [footnote : injury] this verb frequently occurs in our early writers. "then haue you iniuried manie." lyly's alexander and campaspe, sig. d , ed. . it would seem to have fallen into disuse soon after the commencement of the th century: in heywood's woman killed with kindness, , we find, "you injury that good man, and wrong me too." sig. f . but in ed. "injury" is altered to "iniure."] [footnote : all] so the to.-- mitted in the vo.] [footnote : who, travelling, &c.] the halting metre shews that there is some corruption in this and the next line.] [footnote : thorough] so the vo.--the to "through."] [footnote : unvalued] i.e. not to be valued, or estimated.] [footnote : conceit] i.e. fancy, imagination.] [footnote : rhodope] old eds. "rhodolfe."] [footnote : valurous] i.e. valuable.] [footnote : pools] so the vo.--the to "poles."] [footnote : resolv'd] i.e. dissolved.--so the vo.--the to "desolu'd."] [footnote : shall we all offer] the vo "shall we offer" (the word "all" having dropt out).--the to "we all shall offer."] [footnote : in] the vo "it."--omitted in the to.] [footnote : triumph'd] so the vo.--the to "tryumph."] [footnote : brave] i.e. splendidly clad.] [footnote : top] so the to.--the vo "foot."] [footnote : mails] i.e. bags, budgets.] [footnote : lance] so the to.--here the vo has "lanch;" but more than once in the sec. part of the play it has "lance."] [footnote : this] so the vo.--the to "the."--qy. "where is this scythian shepherd tamburlaine"? compare the next words of theridamas.] [footnote : vaults] here the vo has "vauts,"--"which," says one of the modern editors, "was common in marlowe's time:" and so it was; but in the sec. part of this play, act ii. sc. , the same vo gives,-- "as we descend into the infernal vaults."] [footnote : thy] so the vo.--the to "the."] [footnote : brave] see note Â� in preceding column.[i.e. note .]] [footnote : renowmed] i.e. renowned.--so the vo.--the to "renowned." --the form "renowmed" (fr. renomme) occurs repeatedly afterwards in this play, according to the vo. it is occasionally found in writers posterior to marlowe's time. e.g. "of constantines great towne renoum'd in vaine." verses to king james, prefixed to lord stirling's monarchicke tragedies, ed. .] [footnote : cliffs] so the vo.--the to "cliftes."] [footnote : merchants] i.e. merchant-men, ships of trade.] [footnote : stems] i.e. prows.] [footnote : vail] i.e. lower their flags.] [footnote : bootes] the vo "botees."--the to "boetes."] [footnote : competitor] i.e. associate, partner (a sense in which the word is used by shakespeare).] [footnote : to these] old eds. "are these."] [footnote : renowmed] see note ||, p. .[i.e. note .]--so the vo. --the to "renowned."] [footnote : statues] so the to.--"the first edition reads 'statutes,' but, as the scythians worshipped pylades and orestes in temples, we have adopted the reading of the quarto as being most probably the correct one." ed. .] [footnote : kings] so the vo.--the to "king."] [footnote : nor thee nor them] the modern editors silently print "nor they nor theirs."] [footnote : will] so the vo.--omitted in the to.] [footnote : pitch] is generally equivalent to--stature. ("i would have you tell me what pitch he was of, velim mihi dicas qua statura fuerit." coles's dict.) but here it means the highest part of the body,--the shoulders (see the th sign. of pitch in halliwell's dict. of arch. and prov. words),--the "pearl" being, of course, his head.] [footnote : and] so the to.--the vo "with."] [footnote : his arms and fingers long and sinewy] so the vo, except that, by a misprint, it has "snowy" for "sinewy."--the to gives the line thus,-- "his armes long, his fingers snowy-white."!! (and so the line used to stand in lamb's spec. of dram. poets, till i made the necessary alteration in mr. moxon's recent ed. of that selection.)] [footnote : subdu'd] so the vo.--the to "subdue."] [footnote : nature doth strive with fortune, &c.] qy did shakespeare recollect this passage when he wrote,-- "nature and fortune join'd to make thee great"? king john, act iii. sc. .] [footnote : port] i.e. gate.] [footnote : is] so the vo.--the to "in."] [footnote : in fair, &c.] here "fair" is to be considered as a dissyllable: compare, in the fourth act of our author's jew of malta, "i'll feast you, lodge you, give you fair words, and, after that," &c.] [footnote : of] i.e. on.] [footnote : worse] so the vo.--the to "worst."] [footnote : the] so the vo.--the to "that."] [footnote : his] so the vo.--the to "the."] [footnote : be] so the vo.--the to "are."] [footnote : beside] so the vo.--the to "besides."] [footnote : champion] i.e. champaign.] [footnote : greedy after] old eds. "after greedie."] [footnote : sprung] here, and in the next speech, both the old eds. "sprong": but in p. , l. , first col., the to has "sprung", and in the sec. part of the play, act iv. sc. , they both give "sprung from a tyrants loynes." [page , first column, line , this play: "for he was never sprung[ : of human race,"] [footnote : teeth of] so the vo.--omitted in the to.] [footnote : lance] here both the old eds. "lanch": but see note ||, p. .(i.e. note .)] [footnote : the] so the vo.-- mitted in the to.] [footnote : some] so the to.--the vo "scorne."] [footnote : will] so the vo.--the to "shall."] [footnote : top] i.e. rise above, surpass.--old eds. "stop."] [footnote : renowmed] see note ||, p. .[i.e. note .] so the vo. --the to "renowned."] [footnote : thirst] the vo "thrust": the to "thrist."] [footnote : and] so the to.--the vo "not."] [footnote : the fair] so the vo.--the to "thee faire."] [footnote : she] i.e. nemesis.] [footnote : rhamnus'] old eds. "rhamnis."] [footnote : meeds] so the vo.--the to "deeds."] [footnote : into] used here (as the word was formerly often used) for unto.] [footnote : sure] a dissyllable here. in the next line "assure" is a trisyllable.] [footnote : with his crown in his hand] the old eds. add "offering to hide it;" but that he does presently after.] [footnote : those were] i.e. those who were, who have been.] [footnote : stand staggering] so the vo.--the to "stand those staggering."] [footnote : for kings are clouts that every man shoots at, our crown the pin, &c. clout means the white mark in the butts; pin, the peg in the centre, which fastened it.] [footnote : me] so the to.--omitted in the vo.] [footnote : mycetes. ay, marry, &c.] from this to "tamburlaine. well, i mean you shall have it again" inclusive, the dialogue is prose: compare act iv. sc. , p. .] [footnote : renowmed man-at-arms] see note ||, p. .[i.e. note .] so the vo.--the to "renowned men at armes."] [footnote : chiefest] so the to.--the vo "chiefe."] [footnote : happy] so the vo.--the to "happiest."] [footnote : aim'd] so the to.--the vo "and."] [footnote : it] so the to.--the vo "is."] [footnote : our] so the to.--omitted in the vo.] [footnote : we] so the vo.--the to "i."] [footnote : in earth] i.e. on earth. so in the lord's prayer, "thy will be done in earth."] [footnote : casane] both the old eds. here "casanes."] [footnote : a-piece] so the to.--the vo "apace."] [footnote : purchase] i.e. booty, gain.] [footnote : quite] i.e. requite.] [footnote : this] so ([[deiktikos]]) the vo.--the to "the."] [footnote : him] old eds. "his."] [footnote : and] so the vo.--the to "with."] [footnote : sprung] see note Â�, p. .[i.e. note .]] [footnote : dares] so the vo.--the to "dare."] [footnote : fate] old eds. "state."] [footnote : resolve] seems to mean--dissolve (compare "our bodies turn to elements," p. , sec. col.): but i suspect some corruption here. page , second column, this play: "tamburlaine. . . . . until our bodies turn to elements, and both our souls aspire celestial thrones.--" etc.]] [footnote : barbarous] qy. "o barbarous"? in the next line but one, "o treacherous"? and in the last line of the speech, "o bloody"? but we occasionally find in our early dramatists lines which are defective in the first syllable; and in some of these instances at least it would almost seem that nothing has been omitted by the transcriber or printer.] [footnote : artier] i.e. artery. this form occurs again in the sec. part of the present play: so too in a copy of verses by day;] "hid in the vaines and artiers of the earthe." shakespeare soc. papers, vol. i. . the word indeed was variously written of old: "the arter strynge is the conduyt of the lyfe spiryte." hormanni vulgaria, sig. g iii. ed. . "riche treasures serue for th'arters of the war." lord stirling's darius, act ii. sig. c . ed. . "onelye the extrauagant artire of my arme is brused." everie woman in her humor, , sig. d . "and from the veines some bloud each artire draines." davies's microcosmos, , p. .] [footnote : regiment] i.e. rule.] [footnote : fruit] so the to.--the vo "fruites."] [footnote : are] old eds. "is."] [footnote : talents] was often used by our early writers for talons, as many passages might be adduced to shew. hence the quibble in shakespeare's love's labour<k\�ost, act iv. sc. ., "if a talent be a claw," &c.] [footnote : harpy] so the vo.--the to "harper;" and with that reading the line is cited, in a note on macbeth, act iv. sc. , by steevens, who also gives "tires upon my life;" but "tires" (a well-known term in falconry, and equivalent here to--preys) is to be pronounced as a dissyllable. (in the to it in spelt "tyers."] [footnote : the] so the to.--the vo "thy."] [footnote : bassoes] i.e. bashaws.] [footnote : christians renied] i.e. christians who have denied, or renounced their faith.--in the gent. magazine for jan. , j. m. would read "christians renegadens" or "christian renegades:" but the old text is right; among many passages that might be cited, compare the following; "and that ydole is the god of false cristene, that han reneyed hire feythe." the voiage and travaile of sir john maundevile, p. . ed. . "for that thou should'st reny thy faith, and her thereby possesse. the soldan did capitulat in vaine: the more thy blesse." warner's albions england, b. xi. ch. . p. . ed. .] [footnote : terrene] i.e. mediterranean.] [footnote : renowmed] see note ||, p. .[i.e. note .] so the vo. --the to "renowned."] [footnote : basso] so the vo.--the to "brother."] [footnote : not] so the vo.--the to "nor."] [footnote : in] so the vo.--the to "on."] [footnote : or spread, &c.] a word has dropt out from this line.] [footnote : measur'd heaven] so the vo.--the to "measured the heauen."] [footnote : pioners] the usual spelling of the word in our early writers (in shakespeare, for instance).] [footnote : ceaseless] so the vo.--the to "carelesse."] [footnote : conceits] i.e[.] fancies, imaginations.] [footnote : counterfeit] i.e. picture, resemblance.] [footnote : his] so the vo.--the to "the."] [footnote : you] so the vo.--the to "me."] [footnote : leave] the author probably wrote, "agydas, leave," &c.] [footnote : facts] i.e. deeds.] [footnote : much] so the vo.--the to "more."] [footnote : pierides] i.e. the daughters of pierus, who, having challenged the muses to a trial of song, were overcome, and changed into magpies.] [footnote : the young arabian] scil. alcidamus; see p. , l. , sec. col. (page , second column, line , this play: "where her betrothed lord, alcidamus,")] [footnote : fearing his love] i.e. fearing with respect to his love.] [footnote : of] so the to.--the vo "and."] [footnote : fury] so the to.--the vo "furies."] [footnote : shone] old eds. "shine."] [footnote : send] old eds. "sent."] [footnote : menace] so the vo.--the to "meane."] [footnote : fetch] so the vo.--the to "fetcht."] [footnote : set] so the vo.--the to "seate."] [footnote : terrene] i.e. mediterranean.] [footnote : to rest or breathe] so the vo.--the to "to breath and rest."] [footnote : bastones] i.e. bastinadoes.] [footnote : they] so the vo.-- mitted in the to.] [footnote : morocco] here the old eds. "moroccus,"--a barbarism which i have not retained, because previously, in the stage-direction at the commencement of this act, p. , they agree in reading "morocco."] [footnote : titles] so the vo.--the to "title."] [footnote : sarell] i.e. seraglio.] [footnote : i'll] so the vo.--the to "i will."] [footnote : the] so the vo.--the to "this."] [footnote : hugy] i.e. huge.] [footnote : renowm'd] see note ||, p. .[i.e. note .] so the vo. --the to "renowned."] [footnote : of] so the vo.--the to "all."] [footnote : rule] so the vo.--the to "raigne."] [footnote : braver] so the vo.--the to "braue."] [footnote : pash] i.e. crush to pieces by a stroke.] [footnote : y-sprung] here the old eds. "ysprong."--see note Â�, p. . i.e. note .] [footnote : them] old eds. "thee."] [footnote : the] has perhaps crept in by a mistake of the transcriber or printer.] [footnote : and make your strokes to wound the senseless light] the old eds. have, "and make our strokes to wound the sencelesse lure." (the last word being, perhaps, in the vo "lute.") here "light" is a very questionable reading: qy. "air"? (though the third line above ends with that word).)] [footnote : boss] in the gent. mag. for jan. , j. m. proposed to alter "boss" to "bassa." but cotgrave, in his dict., has; "a fat bosse. femme bien grasse et grosse; une coche."] [footnote : advocate] so the to.--the vo "aduocates."] [footnote : that dare, &c.] something dropt out from this line.] [footnote : re-enter bajazeth, pursued by tamburlaine] the old eds. have, "bajazeth flies, and he pursues him. the battell short (qto. is short), and they enter, bajazeth is ouercome." this not very intelligible stage-direction means perhaps that, after bajazeth and tamburlaine had entered, a short combat was to take place between them.] [footnote : foil] the old eds. "soil."] [footnote : gat] so the vo.--the to "got."] [footnote : pilling] i.e. plundering.] [footnote : british] so the to.--the vo "brightest."] [footnote : martial] so the vo.--the to "materiall."] [footnote : awake, ye men of memphis!] these words are put into the mouth of judas, in fletcher's bonduca, at the commencement of act ii.; and in fletcher's wit without money, act v. sc. . we find "thou man of memphis."] [footnote : basilisks] pieces of ordnance so called. they were of immense size; see douce's illust. of shakespeare, i. .] [footnote : monstrous] to be read as a trisyllable.] [footnote : or ever-drizzling] so the to.--the vo "or drisling."] [footnote : should] so the to.--the vo "shal."] [footnote : he devil] so the vo.--the to "he the deuill."] [footnote : arabian king] scil. alcidamus: see p. , l. , sec. col. (page , second column, line , this play: "where her betrothed lord, alcidamus,")] [footnote : it] so the to.--omitted in the vo.] [footnote : it should] so the to.--the vo "should it."] [footnote : this] so the vo.--the to "it."] [footnote : into] so the to.--the vo "vnto."] [footnote : heart] so the to.--the vo "soul."] [footnote : stoop] qy. "stoop, stoop"?] [footnote : your] old eds. "their."--compare the tenth line of the speech.] [footnote : to] so the vo.--the to "on."] [footnote : brent] i.e. burnt. so the vo.--the to "burnt."] [footnote : kings] so the vo.--the to "king."] [footnote : from] so the to.--the vo "in."] [footnote : then, for you] so the to.--the vo "for you then."] [footnote : stark nak'd] compare (among many passages which might be cited from our early poets),-- "rather on nilus' mud lay me stark nak'd, and let the water-flies blow me into abhorring!" shakespeare's antony and cleopatra, act v. sc. . (where the modern editors print "naked.")] [footnote : dignities] so the vo.--the to "dignitie."] [footnote : whiles] so the vo.--the to "while."] [footnote : shalt] so the to.--the vo "shal."] [footnote : grace] olds eds. "grac'd."] [footnote : stature] so the vo.--the to "statue:" but again, in the second part of this play, act ii. sc. , we have, according to the vo-- "and here will i set up her stature." and, among many passages that might be cited from our early authors, compare the following; "the statures huge, of porphyrie and costlier matters made." warner's albions england, p. . ed. . "by them shal isis stature gently stand." chapman's blind begger of alexandria, , sig. a . "was not anubis with his long nose of gold preferred before neptune, whose stature was but brasse?" lyly's midas, sig. a . ed. .] [footnote : bird] i.e. the ibis.] [footnote : are] old eds. "is."] [footnote : country] old eds. "countries."] [footnote : king of arabia] i.e. alcidamus; see p. , l. , sec. col. (page , second column, line , this play: "where her betrothed lord, alcidamus,")] [footnote : calydonian] so the vo.--the to "calcedonian."] [footnote : lusty] so the vo.--omitted in the to.] [footnote : and] so the to.-- mitted in the vo.] [footnote : renowmed] see note ||. p. .[i.e. note .] so the vo. --the to "renow[ned."]] [footnote : ibis' holy name] the ibis has been already alluded to in the lines (p. , sec. col.),-- "the golden stature of their feather'd bird, that spreads her wings upon the city-walls"; and it is well known to have been a sacred bird among the egyptians (see cicero de nat. deorum, i. ). compare the old play of the taming of a shrew; "father, i sweare by ibis' golden beake, more faire and radiente is my bonie kate then siluer zanthus," &c. p. . ed. shakespeare soc. in the passage of our text the modern editors substitute "isis'" for "ibis'."] [footnote : the] so the vo.--the to "and."] [footnote : and] so the vo.--omitted in the to.] [footnote : thy baseness and] so the vo.--the to "the basnesse of."] [footnote : mask] so the vo.--the to "walke."] [footnote : my lord, &c.] something has dropt out: qy. "tamely suffer"?] [footnote : a goodly refreshing for them] so the vo.--the to "a good refreshing to them."] [footnote : here] so the vo.--the to "there."] [footnote : it from] so the vo.--the to "it vp from."] [footnote : slice] so the vo.--the to "fleece."] [footnote : will fall] so the vo.--the to "will not fall."] [footnote : let] i.e. hinder.] [footnote : while] i.e. until.] [footnote : consort] i.e. band.] [footnote : pen] i.e. his sword.] [footnote : hastening] so the to.--the vo "hasting."] [footnote : 'specially] so the vo.--the to "especially."] [footnote : morocco] here and in the next speech the old eds. have "morocus" and "moroccus:" but see note Â�, p. .(i.e. note .)] [footnote : plage] i.e. region.--old eds. "place."] [footnote : valour] old eds. "value."] [footnote : again] so the vo.--omitted in the to.] [footnote : renowm'd] see note ||. p. .[i.e. note .] so the vo. --the to "renown'd."] [footnote : damascus] both the old eds. here "damasco:" but in many other places they agree in reading "damascus."] [footnote : remorse] i.e. pity.] [footnote : sakes] so the vo.--the to. "sake."] [footnote : blubber'd] that this word formerly conveyed no ludicrous idea, appears from many passages of our early writers.] [footnote : and use us like a loving conqueror] "i.e. and that he will use us like, &c." ed. .] [footnote : care] so the to.--the vo "cares."] [footnote : helps] so the vo.--the to "help."] [footnote : or] so the vo.--the to "for."] [footnote : power] so the vo.--the to "powers."] [footnote : knew] so the vo.--the to "know."] [footnote : reflexed] old eds. "reflexing."] [footnote : their] old eds. "your."] [footnote : as] so the vo.--the to "and."] [footnote : tents] so the vo.--the to "tent."] [footnote : submission] old eds. "submissions."] [footnote : of ruth and] so the vo.--the to "and ruth of."] [footnote : conceit] i.e. fancy, imagination.] [footnote : hath] so the to.--the vo "haue."] [footnote : nourish'd] so the vo.--the to "nourish."] [footnote : wish'd] so the vo.--the to "wish."] [footnote : imperious] so the vo.--the to "imprecious."] [footnote : passion] i.e. sorrow.] [footnote : resolved] i.e. dissolved.] [footnote : eyes, when that ebena steps to heaven, &c.] either the transcriber or the printer has made sad work with this passage; nor am i able to suggest any probable emendation.] [footnote : fight] so the vo.--the to "fights."] [footnote : persia's] old eds. "perseans," and "persians."] [footnote : still] i.e. distil.] [footnote : i thus conceiving, and subduing both, that which hath stoop'd the chiefest of the gods, even from the fiery-spangled veil of heaven, to feel the lovely warmth of shepherds' flames, and mask in cottages of strowed reeds, &c. i.e. i thus feeling, and also subduing, the power of beauty, which has drawn down the chiefest of the gods even from, &c. the vo has, "i thus conceiuing and subduing both. that which hath stopt the tempest of the gods, euen from the fiery spangled vaile of heauen, to feele the louely warmth of shepheards flames, and martch in cottages of strowed weeds," &c. the to has, "i thus concieuing and subduing both, that which hath stopt the tempest of the gods, euen from the spangled firie vaile of heauen, to feele the louely warmth of shepheardes flames, and march in coatches of strowed weedes," &c. the alterations which i have made in this corrupted passage are supported by the following lines of the play; "see now, ye slaves, my children stoop your pride (i.e. make your pride to stoop), and lead your bodies sheep-like to the sword." part second,--act iv. sc. . "the chiefest god, first mover of that sphere", &c. part first,--act iv. sc. . "jove sometime masked in a shepherd's weed", &c. part first,--act i. sc. . perhaps in the third line of the present passage "fiery-spangled" should be "fire-yspangled."] [footnote : attend.] old eds. "an." (a misprint probably), which the modern editors understand as "anippe" (the waiting-maid of zenocrate).] [footnote : march on us with] so the to.--the vo "martcht on with vs with."] [footnote : as if there were no way but one with us] i.e. as if we were to lose our lives. this phrase, which is common in our early writers, was not obsolete in dryden's time: "for, if he heard the malicious trumpeter proclaiming his name before his betters, he knew there was but one way with him." preface to all for love.] [footnote : pore] so the vo.--the to "dore."] [footnote : in] i.e. on.] [footnote : stay] old eds. "aie" and "aye."] [footnote : retorqued] i.e. bent back in reflections on our former happiness. so the vo.--the to "retortued."] [footnote : a] old eds. "as."] [footnote : elysium] old eds. "elisian."] [footnote : thoughts] so the vo.--the to "thought."] [footnote : parbreak] i.e. vomit.] [footnote : abjection] old eds. "obiection."] [footnote : villainess] i.e. servant, slave,] [footnote : ruth] so the vo.--the to "truth."] [footnote : resolve] i.e. dissolve.] [footnote : bann'd] i.e. cursed.] [footnote : the] so the to.--the vo "thy."] [footnote : ever-living] so the vo.--the to. "euerlasting."] [footnote : give] so the to.--the vo "and giue."] [footnote : her] must mean zenocrate, whom zabina fancies herself to be addressing.] [footnote : let the soldiers be buried.--hell, death, tamburlaine] so the vo.--omitted in the to. (where the modern editors got their reading, "let the soldiers be cursed," i know not.)] [footnote : make ready my coach] shakespeare seems to have remembered this passage when he made ophelia say, "come, my coach," &c. hamlet, act iv. sc. .] [footnote : i come, i come, i come] so the vo.--the to "i come, i come."] [footnote : egyptians'] so the to.--the vo "egiptian.'] [footnote : the] old eds. "thy."] [footnote : thy] so the vo.--the to "thine."] [footnote : war] so the vo.--the to "warres."] [footnote : come] old eds. "comes" and "comep."] [footnote : armed] so the vo.--the to "armes."] [footnote : final] so the to.--the vo "small."] [footnote : king of arabia] i.e. alcidamus; see p. , l. , sec. col.] [page , second column, line , this play: "where her betrothed lord, alcidamus,"] [footnote : thy] so the to.--the vo "my."] [footnote : conceit] i.e. fancy, imagination.] [footnote : have] so the vo.--the to "hath."] [footnote : euphrates] so our old poets invariably, i believe, accentuate this word. [note: 'euphrates' was printed with no accented characters at all.] [footnote : should] so the vo.--the to "shall."] [footnote : sweat] so the vo.--the to "sweare."] [footnote : wide-gaping] old eds. "wide gasping."] [footnote : resolv'd] i.e. dissolved.] [footnote : millions] so the vo.--the to "million."] [footnote : elysium] old eds. "elisian."] [footnote : renowmed] see note ||, p. .[i.e. note .] so the vo. --the to "renowned."] [footnote : record] i.e. take to witness.] [footnote : no further time] i.e. no more distant time.] [footnote : the] so the vo.--the to "my."] [footnote : i not] so the vo.--the to "not i."] [footnote : else] so the to.--the vo "then."] [footnote : on] so the to.--omitted in the vo.] [footnote : as beseems] so the to.--the vo "as best beseemes."] [footnote : we will our rites, &c.] old eds. "we will our celebrated rites," &c.--"the word 'celebrated' occurs in both the old editions, but may well be dispensed with as regards both the sense and measure." ed. . "i think this word got into the text from either the author or printer, who was perhaps the editor, doubting whether to use 'solemnize' or 'celebrate;' and it slipt from the margin, where it was probably placed, into the verse itself." j. m. in gent. mag. for jan. .] massacre at paris by christopher marlowe table of contents with inital stage directions: dramatis personae scene : enter charles the french king, [catherine] the queene mother, the king of navarre, the prince of condye, the lord high admirall, and [margaret] the queene of navarre, with others. scene : enter the duke of guise. scene : enter the king of navar and queen [margaret], and his [olde] mother queen [of navarre], the prince of condy, the admirall, and the pothecary with the gloves, and gives them to the olde queene. scene : enter [charles] the king, [catherine the] queene mother, duke of guise, duke anjoy, duke demayne [and cossin, captain of the kings guard]. scene : enter guise, anjoy, dumaine, gonzago, retes, montsorrell, and souldiers to the massacre. scene : enter mountsorrell and knocks at serouns doore. scene : enter ramus in his studie. scene : enter anjoy, with two lords of poland. scene : enter two with the admirals body. scene : enter five or sixe protestants with bookes, and kneele together. scene : enter [charles] the king of france, navar and epernoune staying him: enter queene mother, and the cardinall [of loraine, and pleshe]. scene : sound trumpets within, and then all crye vive le roy two or three times. scene : enter the duchesse of guise, and her maide. scene : enter the king of navarre, pleshe and bartus, and their train, with drums and trumpets. scene : enter [henry] the king of france, duke of guise, epernoune, and duke joyeux. scene : alarums within. the duke joyeux slaine. scene : enter a souldier. scene : enter the king of navarre reading of a letter, and bartus. scene : enter the captaine of the guarde, and three murtherers. scene : enter two [murtherers] dragging in the cardenall [of loraine]. scene : enter duke dumayn reading of a letter, with others. scene : sound drumme and trumpets, and enter the king of france, and navarre, epernoune, bartus, pleshe and souldiers. dramatis personae charles the ninth--king of france duke of anjou--his brother, afterwards knig henry the third king of navarre prince of conde--his brother brothers duke of guise cardinal of lorraine duke dumaine son to the duke of guise--a boy the lord high admiral duke of joyeux epernoun pleshe bartus two lords of poland gonzago retes mountsorrell cossins,--captain of the king's guard mugeroun the cutpurse loreine,--a preacher seroune ramus taleus friar surgeonenglish agent apothecary captain of the guard, protestants, schoolmasters, soldiers, murderers, attendants, &c. catherine,--the queen mother of france margaret,--her daughter, wife to the king of navarre the old queen of navarre duchess of guise wife to seroune maid to the duchess of guise the massacre at paris. with the death of the duke of guise. [scene i] enter charles the french king, [catherine] the queene mother, the king of navarre, the prince of condye, the lord high admirall, and [margaret] the queene of navarre, with others. charles. prince of navarre my honourable brother, prince condy, and my good lord admirall, wishe this union and religious league, knit in these hands, thus joyn'd in nuptiall rites, may not desolve, till death desolve our lives, and that the native sparkes of princely love, that kindled first this motion in our hearts, may still be feweld in our progenye. navaree. the many favours which your grace has showne, from time to time, but specially in this, shall binde me ever to your highnes will, in what queen mother or your grace commands. queene mother. thanks sonne navarre, you see we love you well, that linke you in mariage with our daughter heer: and as you know, our difference in religion might be a meanes to crosse you in your love. charles. well madam, let that rest: and now my lords the mariage rites perfourm'd, we think it good to goe and consumate the rest, with hearing of an holy masse: sister, i think your selfe will beare us company. queene margaret. i will my good lord. charles. the rest that will not goe (my lords) may stay: come mother, let us goe to honor this solemnitie. queene mother. which ile desolve with bloud and crueltie. [aside.] exit [charles] the king, queene mother, and [margaret] the queene of navar [with others], and manet navar, the prince of condy, and the lord high admirall. navarre. prince condy and my good lord admiral, now guise may storme but does us little hurt: having the king, queene mother on our side, to stop the mallice of his envious heart, that seekes to murder all the protestants: have you not heard of late how he decreed, if that the king had given consent thereto, that all the protestants that are in paris, should have been murdered the other night? admirall. my lord i mervaile that th'aspiring guise dares once adventure without the kings assent, to meddle or attempt such dangerous things. condy. my lord you need not mervaile at the guise, for what he doth the pope will ratifie: in murder, mischeefe, or in tiranny. navarre. but he that sits and rules above the clowdes, doth heare and see the praiers of the just: and will revenge the bloud of innocents, that guise hath slaine by treason of his heart, and brought by murder to their timeles ends. admirall. my lord, but did you mark the cardinall the guises brother, and the duke dumain: how they did storme at these your nuptiall rites, because the house of burbon now comes in, and joynes your lineage to the crowne of france? navarre. and thats the cause that guise so frowns at us, and beates his braines to catch us in his trap, which he hath pitcht within his deadly toyle. come my lords lets go to the church and pray, that god may still defend the right of france: and make his gospel flourish in this land. exeunt. [scene ii] enter the duke of guise. guise. if ever hymen lowr'd at marriage rites, and had his alters decks with duskie lightes: if ever sunne stainde heaven with bloudy clowdes, and made it look with terrour on the worlde: if ever day were turnde to ugly night, and night made semblance of the hue of hell, this day, this houre, this fatall night, shall fully shew the fury of them all. apothecarie.-- enter the pothecarie. pothecarie. my lord. guise. now shall i prove and guerdon to the ful, the love thou bear'st unto the house of guise: where are those perfumed gloves which late i sent to be poysoned, hast thou done them? speake, will every savour breed a pangue of death? pothecarie. see where they be my lord, and he that smelles but to them, dyes. guise. then thou remainest resolute. pothecarie. i am my lord, in what your grace commaundes till death. guise. thankes my good freend, i wil requite thy love. goe then, present them to the queene navarre: for she is that huge blemish in our eye, that makes these upstart heresies in fraunce: be gone my freend, present them to her straite. souldyer.-- exit pothecaier. enter a souldier. souldier. my lord. guise. now come thou forth and play thy tragick part, stand in some window opening neere the street, and when thou seest the admirall ride by, discharge thy musket and perfourme his death: and then ile guerdon thee with store of crownes. souldier. i will my lord. exit souldier. guise. now guise, begin those deepe ingendred thoughts to burst abroad, those never dying flames, which cannot be extinguisht but by bloud. oft have i leveld, and at last have learnd, that perill is the cheefest way to happines, and resolution honors fairest aime. what glory is there in a common good, that hanges for every peasant to atchive? that like i best that flyes beyond my reach. set me to scale the high peramides, and thereon set the diadem of fraunce, ile either rend it with my nayles to naught, or mount the top with my aspiring winges, although my downfall be the deepest hell. for this, i wake, when others think i sleepe, for this, i waite, that scorn attendance else: for this, my quenchles thirst whereon i builde, hath often pleaded kindred to the king. for this, this head, this heart, this hand and sworde, contrive, imagine and fully execute matters of importe, aimed at by many, yet understoode by none. for this, hath heaven engendred me of earth, for this, the earth sustaines my bodies weight, and with this wait ile counterpoise a crowne, or with seditions weary all the worlde: for this, from spaine the stately catholic sends indian golde to coyne me french ecues: for this have i a largesse from the pope, a pension and a dispensation too: and by that priviledge to worke upon, my policye hath framde religion. religion: o diabole. fye, i am ashamde, how ever that i seeme, to think a word of such a simple sound, of so great matter should be made the ground. the gentle king whose pleasure uncontrolde, weakneth his body, and will waste his realme, if i repaire not what he ruinates: him as a childe i dayly winne with words, so that for proofe, he barely beares the name: i execute, and he sustaines the blame. the mother queene workes wonders for my sake, and in my love entombes the hope of fraunce: rifling the bowels of her treasurie, to supply my wants and necessitie. paris hath full five hundred colledges, as monestaries, priories, abbyes and halles, wherein are thirtie thousand able men, besides a thousand sturdy student catholicks, and more: of my knowledge in one cloyster keep, five hundred fatte franciscan fryers and priestes. all this and more, if more may be comprisde, to bring the will of our desires to end. then guise, since thou hast all the cardes within thy hands to shuffle or to cut, take this as surest thing: that right or wrong, thou deal'st thy selfe a king. i but, navarre. tis but a nook of france. sufficient yet for such a pettie king: that with a rablement of his hereticks, blindes europs eyes and troubleth our estate: him will we-- pointing to his sworde. but first lets follow those in france. that hinder our possession to the crowne: as caesar to his souldiers, so say i: those that hate me, will i learn to loath. give me a look, that when i bend the browes, pale death may walke in furrowes of my face: a hand, that with a graspe may gripe the world, an eare, to heare what my detractors say, a royall seate, a scepter and a crowne: that those which doe behold them may become as men that stand and gase against the sunne. the plot is laide, and things shall come to passe, where resolution strives for victory. exit. [scene iii] enter the king of navar and queen [margaret], and his [olde] mother queen [of navarre], the prince of condy, the admirall, and the pothecary with the gloves, and gives them to the olde queene. pothecarie. maddame, i beseech your grace to except this simple gift. old queene. thanks my good freend, holde, take thou this reward. pothecarie. i humbly thank your majestie. exit pothecary. old queene. me thinkes the gloves have a very strong perfume, the sent whereof doth make my head to ake. navarre. doth not your grace know the man that gave them you? old queene. not wel, but do remember such a man. admirall. your grace was ill advisde to take them then, considering of these dangerous times. old queene. help sonne navarre, i am poysoned. queene margaret. the heavens forbid your highnes such mishap. navarre. the late suspition of the duke of guise, might well have moved your highnes to beware how you did meddle with such dangerous giftes. queene margaret. too late it is my lord if that be true to blame her highnes, but i hope it be only some naturall passion makes her sicke. old queene. o no, sweet margaret, the fatall poyson doth work within my heart, my brain pan breakes, my heart doth faint, i dye. she dyes. navarre. my mother poysoned heere before my face: o gracious god, what times are these? o graunt sweet god my daies may end with hers, that i with her may dye and live againe. queene margaret. let not this heavy chaunce my dearest lord, (for whose effects my soule is massacred) infect thy gracious brest with fresh supply, to agravate our sodaine miserie. admirall. come my lords let us beare her body hence, and see it honoured with just solemnitie. as they are going, [enter] the souldier [above, who] dischargeth his musket at the lord admirall [and exit]. condy. what are you hurt my lord high admiral? admirall. i my good lord, shot through the arme. navarre. we are betraide, come my lords, and let us goe tell the king of this. admirall. these are the cursed guisians that doe seeke our death. oh fatall was this mariage to us all. they beare away the [olde] queene [of navarre] and goe out. [scene iv] enter [charles] the king, [catherine] the queene mother, duke of guise, duke anjou, duke demayne [and cossin, captain of the kings guard]. queene mother. my noble sonne, and princely duke of guise, now have we got the fatall stragling deere, within the compasse of a deadly toyle, and as we late decreed we may perfourme. charles. madam, it wilbe noted through the world, an action bloudy and tirannicall: cheefely since under safetie of our word, they justly challenge their protection: besides my heart relentes that noble men, onely corrupted in religion, ladies of honor, knightes and gentlemen, should for their conscience taste such rutheles ends. anjoy. though gentle minces should pittie others paines, yet will the wisest note their proper greefes: and rather seeke to scourge their enemies, then be themselves base subjects to the whip. guise. me thinkes my lord, anjoy hath well advisde your highnes to consider of the thing, and rather chuse to seek your countries good, then pittie or releeve these upstart hereticks. queene mother. i hope these reasons mayserve my princely, sonne, to have some care for feare of enemies. charles. well madam, i referre it to your majestie, and to my nephew heere the duke of guise: what you determine, i will ratifie. queene mother. thankes to my princely sonne, then tell me guise, what order wil you set downe for the massacre? guise. thus madame. they that shalbe actors in this massacre, shall weare white crosses on their burgonets, and tye white linnen scarfes about their armes. he that wantes these, and is suspect of heresie, shall dye, or be he king or emperour. then ile have a peale of ordinance shot from the tower, at which they all shall issue out and set the streetes. and then the watchword being given, a bell shall ring, which when they heare, they shall begin to kill: and never cease untill that bell shall cease, then breath a while. enter the admirals man. charles. how now fellow, what newes? man. and it please your grace the lord high admirall, riding the streetes was traiterously shot, and most humbly intreates your majestie to visite him sick in his bed. charles. messenger, tell him i will see him straite. exit messenger. what shall we doe now with the admirall? queene mother. your majesty had best goe visite him, and make a shew as if all were well. charles. content, i will goe visite the admirall. guise. and i will goe take order for his death. exit guise. enter the admirall in his bed. charles. how fares it with my lord high admiral, hath he been hurt with villaines in the street? i vow and sweare as i am king of france, to finde and to repay the man with death: with death delay'd and torments never usde, that durst presume for hope of any gaine, to hurt the noble man his sovereign loves. admirall. ah my good lord, these are the guisians, that seeke to massacre our guiltles lives. charles. assure your selfe my good lord admirall, i deepely sorrow for your trecherous wrong: and that i am not more secure my selfe, then i am carefull you should be preserved. cossin, take twenty of our strongest guarde, and under your direction see they keep all trecherous violence from our noble freend, repaying all attempts with present death, upon the cursed breakers of our peace. and so be pacient good lord admirall, and every hower i will visite you. exeunt omnes. [scene v] enter guise, anjoy, dumaine, gonzago, retes, montsorrell, and souldiers to the massacre. guise. anjoy, dumaine, gonzago, retes, sweare by the argent crosses on your burgonets, to kill all that you suspect of heresie. dumaine. i sweare by this to be unmercifull. anjoy. i am disguisde and none nows who i am, and therfore meane to murder all i meet. gonzago. and so will i. retes. and i. guise. away then, break into the admirals house. getes. i let the admirall be first dispatcht. guise. the admirall, cheefe standard bearer to the lutheranes, shall in the entrance of this massacre, be murdered in his bed. gonzago conduct them hither, and then beset his house that not a man may live. anjoy. that charge is mine. swizers keepe you the streetes, and at ech corner shall the kings garde stand. gonzago. come sirs follow me. exit gonzago and others with him. anjoy. cossin, the captaine of the admirals guarde, plac'd by my brother, will betray his lord: now guise shall catholiques flourish once againe, the head being of, the members cannot stand. retes. but look my lord, ther's some in the admirals house. enter [above gonzago and others] into the admirals house, and he in his bed. anjoy. in lucky time, come let us keep this lane, and slay his servants that shall issue out. gonzago. where is the admirall? admirall. o let me pray before i dye. gonzago. then pray unto our ladye, kisse this crosse. stab him. admirall. o god forgive my sins. guise. what, is he dead gonzago? gonzago. i my lord. guise. then throw him down. [the body is thrown down. exeunt gonzago and rest above.] anjoy. now cosin view him well, it may be it is some other, and he escapte. guise. cosin tis he, i know him by his look. see where my souldier shot him through the arm. he mist him neer, but we have strook him now. ah base shatillian and degenerate, cheef standard bearer to the lutheranes, thus in despite of thy religion, the duke of guise stampes on thy liveles bulke. away with him, cut of his head and handes, and send them for a present to the pope: and when this just revenge is finished, unto mount faucon will we dragge his coarse: and he that living hated so the crosse, shall being dead, be hangd thereon in chaines. guise. anjoy, gonzago, retes, if that you three, will be as resolute as i and dumaine: there shall not a hugonet breath in france. anjoy. i sweare by this crosse, wee'l not be partiall, but slay as many as we can come neer. guise. mountsorrett, go and shoote the ordinance of, that they which have already set the street may know their watchword, and then tole the bell, and so lets forward to the massacre. mountsorrell. i will my lord. exit mountsorrell. guise. and now my lords let us closely to our busines. anjoy. anjoy will follow thee. dumaine. and so will dumaine. the ordinance being shot of, the bell tolles. guise. come then, lets away. exeunt. the guise enters againe, with all the rest, with their swords drawne, chasing the protestants. guise. tue, tue, tue, let none escape, murder the hugonets. anjoy. kill them, kill them. exeunt. enter loreine running, the guise and the rest pursuing him. guise. loreine, loreine, follow loreine.. sirra, are you a preacher of these heresies? loreine. i am a preacher of the word of god, and thou a traitor to thy soule and him. guise. dearely beloved brother, thus tis written. he stabs him. anjoy. stay my lord, let me begin the psalme. guise. come dragge him away and throw him in a ditch. exeunt [omnes]. [scene vi] enter mountsorrell and knocks at serouns doore. serouns wife. who is't that knocks there? [within.] mountsorrell. mountsorrett from the duke of guise. serouns wife. husband come down, heer's one would speak with you from the duke of guise. enter seroune. seroune. to speek with me from such a man as he? mountsorrell. i, i, for this seroune, and thou shalt ha't. shewing his dagger. seroune. o let me pray before i take my death. mountsorrell. despatch then quickly. seroune. o christ my saviour-- mountsorrell. christ, villaine? why, darst thou presume to call on christ, without the intercession of some saint? sanctus jacobus hee was my saint, pray to him. seroune. o let me pray unto my god. mountsorrell. then take this with you. stab him [and he falls within and dies]. exit. [scene vii] enter ramus in his studie. ramus. what fearfull cries come from the river sene, that fright poore ramus sitting at his book? i feare the guisians have past the bridge, and meane once more to menace me. enter taleus. taleus. flye ramus flye, if thou wilt save thy life. ramus. tell me taleus, wherfore should i flye? taleus. the guisians are hard at thy doore, and meane to murder us: harke, harke they come, ile leap out at the window. [runs out from studie.] ramus. sweet taleus stay. enter gonzago and retes. gonzago. who goes there? retes. tis taleus, ramus bedfellow. gonzago. what art thou? taleus. i am as ramus is, a christian. retes. o let him goe, he is a catholick. exit taleus. enter ramus [out of his studie]. gonzago. come ramus, more golde, or thou shalt have the stabbe. ramus. alas i am a scholler, how should i have golde? all that i have is but my stipend from the king, which is no sooner receiv'd but it is spent. enter the guise and anjoy [, dumaine, mountsorrell, with soldiers]. anjoy. whom have you there? retes. tis ramus, the kings professor of logick. guise. stab him. ramus. o good my lord, wherein hath ramus been so offencious? guise. marry sir, in having a smack in all, and yet didst never sound any thing to the depth. was it not thou that scoff'dst the organon, and said it was a heape of vanities? he that will be a flat decotamest, and seen in nothing but epitomies: is in your judgment thought a learned man. and he forsooth must goe and preach in germany: excepting against doctors actions, and ipse dixi with this quidditie, argumentum testimonis est in arte partialis. to contradict which, i say ramus shall dye: how answere you that? your nego argumentum cannot serve, sirrah, kill him. ramus. o good my lord, let me but speak a word. anjoy. well, say on. ramus. not for my life doe i desire this pause, but in my latter houre to purge my selfe, in that i know the things that i have wrote, which as i heare one shekins takes it ill, because my places being but three, contain all his: i knew the organon to be confusde, and i reduc'd it into better forme. and this for aristotle will i say, that he that despiseth him, can nere be good in logick or philosophie. and thats because the blockish sorbonests attribute as much unto their workes, as to the service of the eternall god. guise. why suffer you that peasant to declaime? stab him i say and send him to his freends in hell. anjoy. nere was there colliars sonne so full of pride. kill him. [close the studie.] guise. my lord anjoy, there are a hundred protestants, which we have chaste into the river sene, that swim about and so preserve their lives: how may we doe? i feare me they will live. dumaine. goe place some men upon the bridge, with bowes and cartes to shoot at them they see, and sinke them in the river as they swim. guise. tis well advisde dumain, goe see it done. exit dumaine. and in the mean time my lord, could we devise, to get those pedantes from the king navarre, that are tutors to him and the prince of condy-- anjoy. for that let me alone, cousin stay heer, and when you see me in, then follow hard. he knocketh, and enter the king of navarre and prince of condy, with their scholmaisters. how now my lords, how fare you? navarre. my lord, they say that all the protestants are massacred. anjoy. i, so they are, but yet what remedy: i have done all i could to stay this broile. navarre. but yet my lord the report doth run, that you were one that made this massacre. anjoy. who i? you are deceived, i rose but now enter [to them] guise. guise. murder the hugonets, take those pedantes hence. navarre. thou traitor guise, lay of thy bloudy hands. condy. come let us goe tell the king. exeunt [condy and navarre]. guise. come sirs, ile whip you to death with my punniards point. he kils them. anjoy. away with them both. exit anjoy [and soldiers with bodies]. guise. and now sirs for this night let our fury stay. yet will we not the massacre shall end: gonzago posse you to orleance, retes to deep, mountsorrell unto roan, and spare not one that you suspect of heresy. and now stay that bel that to the devils mattins rings. now every man put of his burgonet, and so convey him closely to his bed. exeunt. [scene viii] enter anjoy, with two lords of poland. anjoy. my lords of poland i must needs confesse, the offer of your prince elector's, farre beyond the reach of my desertes: for poland is as i have been enformde, a martiall people, worthy such a king, as hath sufficient counsaile in himselfe, to lighten doubts and frustrate subtile foes. and such a king whom practice long hath taught, to please himselfe with mannage of the warres, the greatest warres within our christian bounds, i meane our warres against the muscovites: and on the other side against the turke, rich princes both, and mighty emperours: yet by my brother charles our king of france, and by his graces councell it is thought, that if i undertake to weare the crowne of poland, it may prejudice their hope of my inheritance to the crowne of france: for if th'almighty take my brother hence, by due discent the regall seat is mine. with poland therfore must i covenant thus, that if by death of charles, the diadem of france be cast on me, then with your leaves i may retire me to my native home. if your commission serve to warrant this, i thankfully shall undertake the charge of you and yours, and carefully maintaine the wealth and safety of your kingdomes right. lord. all this and more your highnes shall commaund, for polands crowne and kingly diadem. anjoy. then come my lords, lets goe. exeunt. [scene ix] enter two with the admirals body. . now sirra, what shall we doe with the admirall? . why let us burne him for a heretick. . o no, his bodye will infect the fire, and the fire the aire, and so we shall be poysoned with him. . what shall we doe then? . lets throw him into the river. . oh twill corrupt the water, and the water the fish, and the fish our selves when we eate them. . then throw him into the ditch. . no, no, to decide all doubts, be rulde by me, lets hang him upon this tree. . agreede. they hang him. enter the duke of guise, and queene mother, and the cardinall [of loraine]. guise. now madame, how like you our lusty admirall? queene mother. beleeve me guise he becomes the place so well, that i could long ere this have wisht him there. but come lets walke aside, th'airs not very sweet. guise. no by my faith madam. sirs, take him away and throw him in some ditch. carry away the dead body. and now madam as i understand, there anre a hundred hugonets and more, which in the woods doe horde their synagogue: and dayly meet about this time of day, thither will i to put them to the sword. queene mother. doe so sweet guise, let us delay no time, for if these straglers gather head againe, and disperse themselves throughout the realme of france, it will be hard for us to worke their deaths. guise. madam, i goe as whirl-winces rage before a storme. exit guise. queene mother. my lord of loraine have you marks of late, how charles our sonne begins for to lament for the late nights worke which my lord of guise did make in paris amongst the hugonites? cardinall. madam, i have heard him solemnly vow, with the rebellious king of navarre, for to revenge their deaths upon us all. queene mother. i, but my lord, let me alone for that, for katherine must have her will in france: as i doe live, so surely shall he dye, and henry then shall weare the diadem. and if he grudge or crosse his mothers will, ile disinherite him and all the rest: for ile rule france, but they shall weare the crowne: and if they storme, i then may pull them downe. come my lord let's goe. exeunt. [scene x] enter five or sixe protestants with bookes, and kneele together. enter also the guise [and others]. guise. downe with the hugonites, murder them. protestant. o mounser de guise, heare me but speake. guise. no villain, no that toung of thine, that hath blasphemde the holy church of rome, shall drive no plaintes into the guises eares, to make the justice of my heart relent: tue, tue, tue, let none escape: kill them. so, dragge them away. exeunt. [scene xi] enter [charles] the king of france, navar and epernoune staying him: enter queene mother, and the cardinall [of loraine, and pleshe]. charles. o let me stay and rest me heer a while, a griping paine hath ceasde upon my heart: a sodaine pang, the messenger of death. queene mother. o say not so, thou kill'st thy mothers heart. charles. i must say so, paine forceth me to complain. navarre. comfort your selfe my lord i have no doubt, but god will sure restore you to your health. charles. o no, my loving brother of navarre. i have deserv'd a scourge i must confesse, yet is there pacience of another sort, then to misdoe the welfare of their king: god graunt my neerest freends may prove no worse. o horde me up, my sight begins to faire, my sinnewes shrinke, my brain turns upside downe, my heart doth break, i faint and dye. he dies. queene mother. what art thou dead, sweet sonne? speak to thy mother. o no, his soule is fled from out his breast, and he nor heares, nor sees us what we doe: my lords, what resteth now for to be done? but that we presently despatch embassadours to poland, to call henry back againe, to weare his brothers crowne and dignity. epernoune, goe see it presently be done, and bid him come without delay to us. epernoune madam, i will. exit epernoune. queene mother. and now my lords after these funerals be done, we will with all the speed we can, provide for henries coronation from polonia: come let us take his body hence. all goe out, but navarre and pleshe. navarre. and now navarre whilste that these broiles doe last, my opportunity may serve me fit, to steale from france, and hye me to my home. for heers no saftie in the realme for me, and now that henry is cal'd from polland, it is my due by just succession: and therefore as speedily as i can perfourme, ile muster up an army secretdy, for feare that guise joyn'd with the king of spaine, might seek to crosse me in mine enterprise. but god that alwaies doth defend the right, will shew his mercy and preserve us still. pleshe. the vertues of our poor religion, cannot but march with many graces more: whose army shall discomfort all your foes, and at the length in pampelonia crowne, in spite of spaine and all the popish power, that hordes it from your highnesse wrongfully: your majestie her rightfull lord and soveraigne. navarre truth pleshe, and god so prosper me in all, as i entend to labour for the truth, and true profession of his holy word: come pleshe, lets away while time doth serve. exeunt. [scene xii] sound trumpets within, and then all crye vive le roy two or three times. enter henry crowned: queene [mother], cardinall [of loraine], duke of guise, epernoone, [mugeroun,] the kings minions, with others, and the cutpurse. all. vive le roy, vive le roy. sound trumpets. queene mother. welcome from poland henry once agayne, welcome to france thy fathers royall seate, heere hast thou a country voice of feares, a warlike people to maintaine thy right, a watchfull senate for ordaining lawes, a loving mother to preserve thy state, and all things that a king may wish besides: all this and more hath henry with his crowne. cardinall. and long may henry enjoy all this and more. all. vive le roy, vive le roy. sound trumpets. king. thanks to you al. the guider of all crownes, graunt that our deeds may wel deserve your loves: and so they shall, if fortune speed my will, and yeeld our thoughts to height of my desertes. what say our minions, think they henries heart will not both harbour love and majestie? put of that feare, they are already joynde, no person, place, or time, or circumstance, shall slacke my loves affection from his bent. as now you are, so shall you still persist, remooveles from the favours of your king. mugeroun. we know that noble minces change not their thoughts for wearing of a crowne: in that your grace, hath worne the poland diadem, before you were withvested in the crowne of france. king. i tell thee mugeroun we will be freends, and fellowes to, what ever stormes arise. mugeroun. then may it please your majestie to give me leave, to punish those that doe prophane this holy feast. he cuts of the cutpurse eare, for cutting of the golde buttons off his cloake. king. how meanst thou that? cutpurse. o lord, mine eare. mugeroun. come sir, give me my buttons and heers your eare. guise. sirra, take him away. king. hands of good fellow, i will be his baile for this offence: goe sirra, worke no more, till this our coronation day be past: and now, our rites of coronation done, what now remaines, but for a while to feast, and spend some daies in barriers, tourny, tylte, and like disportes, such as doe fit the coutr? lets goe my lords, our dinner staies for us. goe out all, but the queene [mother] and the cardinall. queene mother. my lord cardinall of loraine, tell me, how likes your grace my sonnes pleasantnes? his mince you see runnes on his minions, and all his heaven is to delight himselfe: and whilste he sleepes securely thus in ease, thy brother guise and we may now provide, to plant our selves with such authoritie, that not a man may live without our leaves. then shall the catholick faith of rome, flourish in france, and none deny the same. cardinall madam, as i in secresy was tolde, my brother guise hath gathered a power of men, which are he saith, to kill the puritans, but tis the house of burbon that he meanest now madam must you insinuate with the king, and tell him that tis for his countries good, and common profit of religion. queene mother. tush man, let me alone with him, to work the way to bring this thing to passe: and if he doe deny what i doe say, ile dispatch him with his brother presently. and then shall mounser weare the diadem. tush, all shall dye unles i have my will: for while she lives katherine will be queene. come my lord, let us goe to seek the guise, and then determine of this enterprise. exeunt. [scene xiii] enter the duchesse of guise, and her maide. duchesse. goe fetch me pen and inke. maid. i will madam. exit maid. duchesse. that i may write unto my dearest lord. sweet mugeroune, tis he that hath my heart, and guise usurpes it, cause i am his wife: faine would i finde some means to speak with him but cannot, and therfore am enforst to write, that he may come and meet me in some place, where we may one injoy the others sight. enter the maid with inke and paper. so, set it down and leave me to my selfe. o would to god this quill that heere doth write, she writes. had late been plucks from out faire cupids wing: that it might print these lines within his heart. enter the guise. guise. what, all alone my love, and writing too: i prethee say to whome thou writes? duchesse. to such a one, as when she reads my lines, will laugh i feare me at their good aray. guise. i pray thee let me see. duchesse. o no my lord, a woman only must partake the secrets of my heart. guise. but madam i must see. he takes it. are these your secrets that no man must know? duchesse. o pardon me my lord. guise. thou trothles and unjust, what lines are these? am i growne olde, or is thy lust growne yong, or hath my love been so obscurde in thee, that others need to comment on my text? is all my love forgot which helde thee deare? i, dearer then the apple of mine eye? is guises glory but a clowdy mist, in sight and judgement of thy lustfull eye? mor du, were not the fruit within thy wombe, on whose encrease i set some longing hope: this wrathfull hand should strike thee to the hart hence strumpet, hide thy head for shame, and fly my presence if thou look'st to live. exit [duchesse]. o wicked sexe, perjured and unjust, now doe i see that from the very first, her eyes and lookes sow'd seeds of perjury, but villaine he to whom these lines should goe, shall buy her love even with his dearest bloud. exit. [scene xiv] enter the king of navarre, pleshe and bartus, and their train, with drums and trumpets. navarre. now lords, since in a quarrell just and right, we undertake to mannage these our warres against the proud disturbers of the faith, i meane the guise, the pope, and king of spaine, who set themselves to tread us under foot, and rend our true religion from this land: but for you know our quarrell is no more, but to defend their strange inventions, which they will put us to with sword and fire: we must with resolute minces resolve to fight, in honor of our god and countries good. spaine is the counsell chamber of the pope, spaine is the place where he makes peace and warre, and guise for spaine hath now incenst the king, to send his power to meet us in the field. bartus. then in this bloudy brunt they may beholde, the sole endevour of your princely care, to plant the true succession of the faith, in spite of spaine and all his heresies. navarre. the power of vengeance now implants it selfe, upon the hauty mountains of my brest: plaies with her goary coulours of revenge, whom i respect as leaves of boasting greene, that change their coulour when the winter comes, when i shall vaunt as victor in revenge. enter a messenger. how now sirra, what newes? messenger. my lord, as by our scoutes we understande, a mighty army comes from france with speed: which is already mustered in the land, and meanesto meet your highnes in the field. navarre. in gods name, let them come. this is the guise that hath incenst the king, to leavy armes and make these civill broyles: but canst thou tell me who is their generall? messenger. not yet my lord, for thereon doe they stay: but as report doth goe, the duke of joyeux hath made great sute unto the king therfore. navarre. it will not countervaile his paines i hope, i would the guise in his steed might have come, but he doth lurke within his drousie couch, and makes his footstoole on securitie: so he be safe he cares not what becomes, of king or country, no not for them both. but come my lords, let us away with speed, and place our selves in order for the fight. exeunt. [scene xv] enter [henry] the king of france, duke of guise, epernoune, and duke joyeux. king. my sweet joyeux, i make thee generall, of all my army now in readines, to march against the rebellious king navarre: at thy request i am content thou go'st, although my love to thee can hardly suffer't, regarding still the danger of thy life. joyeux. thanks to your majestie, and so i take my leave. farwell my lord of guise and epernoune. guise. health and harty farwell to my lord joyeux. exit joyeux. king. how kindely cosin of guise you and your wife doe both salute our lovely minions. he makes hornes at the guise. remember you the letter gentle sir, which your wife writ to my deare minion, and her chosen freend? guise. how now my lord, faith this is more then need, am i to be thus jested at and scornde? tis more then kingly or emperious. and sure if all the proudest kings beside in christendome, should beare me such derision, they should know i scornde them and their mockes. i love your minions? dote on them your selfe, i know none els but hordes them in disgrace: and heer by all the saints in heaven i sweare, that villain for whom i beare this deep disgrace, even for your words that have incenst me so, shall buy that strumpets favour with his blood, whether he have dishonoured me or no. par la mor du, il mora. exit. king. beleeve me, epernoune this jest bites sore. epernoune. my lord, twere good to make them frends, for his othes are seldome spent in vaine. enter mugeroun. king. how now mugeroun, metst thou not the guise at the doore? mugeroun. not i my lord, what if i had? king. marry if thou hadst, thou mightst have had the stab, for he hath solemnely sworne thy death. mugeroun. i may be stabd, and live till he be dead, but wherfore beares he me such deadly hate? king. because his wife beares thee such kindely love. mugeroun. if that be all, the next time that i meet her, ile make her shake off love with her heeles. but which way is he gone? ile goe take a walk on purpose from the court to meet with him. exit. king. i like not this, come epernoune lets goe seek the duke and make them freends. exeunt. [scene xvi] alarums within. the duke joyeux slaine. enter the king of navarre [, bartus,] and his traine. navarre. the duke is slaine and all his power dispearst, and we are grac'd with wreathes of victory: thus god we see doth ever guide the right, to make his glory great upon the earth. bartus. the terrour of this happy victory, i hope will make the king surcease his hate: and either never mannage army more, or else employ them in some better cause. navarre. how many noble men have lost their lives, in prosecution of these quell armes, is ruth and almost death to call to mince: put god we know will alwaies put them downe, that lift themselves against the perfect truth, which ile maintaine as long as life doth last: and with the queene of england joyne my force, to beat the papall monarck from our lands, and keep those relicks from our countries coastes. come my lords, now that the storme is overpass, let us away with triumph to our tents. exeunt. [scene xvii] enter a souldier. souldier. sir, to you sir, that dare make the duke a cuckolde, and use a counterfeite key to his privie chamber doore: and although you take out nothing but your owne, yet you put in that which displeaseth him, and so forestall his market, and set up your standing where you should not: and whereas tree is your landlord, you would take upon you to be his, and tyll the ground that he himself should occupy, which is his own free land. if it be not too free there's the question: and though i come not to take possession (as i would i might) yet i meane to keepe you out, which i will if this geare horde: what are ye come so soone? have at ye sir. enter mugeroun. he shootes at him and killes him. enter the guise [attended]. guise. holde thee tall souldier, take thou this and flye. exit souldier. lye there the kings delight, and guises scorne. revenge it henry as thou list'st or dar'st, i did it only in despite of thee. take him away. enter the king and epernoune. king. my lord of guise, we understand that you have gathered a power of men. what your intent is yet we cannot learn, but we presume it is not for our good. guise. why i am no traitor to the crowne of france. what i have done tis for the gospel's sake. epernoune. nay for the popes sake, and shine owne benefite. what peere in france but thou (aspiring guise) durst be in armes without the kings consent? i challenge thee for treason in the cause. guise. oh base epernoune, were not his highnes heere, thou shouldst perceive the duke of guise is mov'd. king. be patient guise and threat not epernoune, least thou perceive the king of france be mov'd. guise. why? i am a prince of the valoyses line, therfore an enemy to the burbonites. i am a juror in the holy league, and therfore hated of the protestants. what should i doe but stand upon my guarde? and being able, ile keep an hoast in pay. epernoune. thou able to maintaine an hoast in pay, that livest by forraine exhibition? the pope and king of spaine are thy good frends, else all france knowes how poor a duke thou art. king. i, those are they that feed him with their golde, to countermaund our will and check our freends. guise. my lord, to speak more plainely, thus it is: being animated by religious zeale, i meane to muster all the power i can, to overthrow those factious puritans: and know, the pope will sell his triple crowne, i, and the catholick philip king of spaine, ere i shall want, will cause his indians, to rip the golden bowels of america. navarre that cloakes them underneath his wings, shall feele the house of lorayne is his foe: your highnes need not feare mine armies force, tis for your safetie and your enemies wrack. king. guise, weare our crowne, and be thou king of france, and as dictator make or warre or peace, whilste i cry placet like a senator. i cannot brook thy hauty insolence, dismisse thy campe or else by our edict, be thou proclaimde a traitor throughout france. guise. the choyse is hard, i must dissemble. [aside.] my lord, in token of my true humilitie, and simple meaning to your majestie, i kisse your graces hand, and take my leave, intending to dislodge my campe with speed. king. then farwell guise, the king and thou art freends. exit guise. epernoune. but trust him not my lord, for had your highnesse seene with what a pompe he entred paris, and how the citizens with gifts and shewes did entertaine him and promised to be at his commaund: nay, they fear'd not to speak in the streetes, that guise ch, durst stand in armes against the king, for not effecting of his holines will. king. did they of paris entertaine him so? then meanes he present treason to our state. well, let me alone, whose within there? enter one with e pen and inke. make a discharge of all my counsell straite, and ile subscribe my name and seale it straight. my head shall be my counsell, they are false: and epernoune i will be rulde by thee. epernoune. my lord, i think for safety of your person, it would be good the guise were made away, and so to quite your grace of all suspect. king. first let us set our hand and seale to this, and then ile tell thee what i meane to doe. he writes. so, convey this to the counsell presently. exit one. and epernoune though i seeme milde and calme, thinke not but i am tragicall within: ile secretly convey me unto bloyse, for now that paris takes the guises parse, heere is not staying for the king of france, unles he means to be betraide and dye: but as i live, so sure the guise shall dye. exeunt. [scene xviii] enter the king of navarre reading of a letter, and bartus. navarre. my lord, i am advertised from france, that the guise hath taken armes against the king, and that paris is revolted from his grace. bartus. then hath your grace fit oportunitie, to shew your love unto the king of france: offering him aide against his enemies, which cannot but be thankfully receiv'd. navarre. bartus, it shall be so, poast then to fraunce, and there salute his highnesse in our name, assure him all the aide we can provide, against the guisians and their complices. bartus be gone, commend me to his grace, and tell him ere it be long, ile visite him. bartus. i will my lord. exit. navarre. pleshe. enter pleshe. pleshe. my lord. navarre. pleshe, goe muster up our men with speed, and let them march away to france amaine: for we must aide the king against the guise. be gone i say, tis time that we were there. pleshe. i goe my lord. [exit.] navarre. that wicked guise i feare me much will be, the wine of that famous realme of france: for his aspiring thoughts aime at the crowne, he takes his vantage on religion, to plant the pope and popelings in the realme, and binde it wholy to the sea of rome: but if that god doe prosper mine attempts, and send us safely to arrive in france: wee'l beat him back, and drive him to his death, that basely seekes the wine of his realme. exit. [scene xix] enter the captaine of the guarde, and three murtherers. captaine. come on sirs, what, are you resolutely bent, hating the life and honour of the guise? what, will you not feare when you see him come? . feare him said you? tush, were he heere, we would kill him presently. . o that his heart were leaping in my hand. . but when will he come that we may murther him? captaine. well then, i see you are resolute. . let us alone, i warrant you. captaine. then sirs take your standings within this chamber, for anon the guise will come. all. you will give us our money? captaine. i, i, feare not: stand close, be resolute: [the murtherers go aside as if in the next room.] now fals the star whose influence governes france, whose light was deadly to the protestants: now must he fall and perish in his height. enter the king and epernoune. king. now captain of my guarde, are these murtherers ready? captaine. they be my good lord. king. but are they resolute and armde to kill, hating the life and honour of the guise? captaine. i warrant you my lord. [exit.] king. then come proud guise and heere disgordge thy brest, surchargde with surfet of ambitious thoughts: breath out that life wherein my death was hid, and end thy endles treasons with thy death. enter the guise [within] and knocketh. guise. holla varlet, hey: epernoune, where is the king? epernoune. mounted his royall cabonet. guise. i prethee tell him that the guise is heere. epernoune. and please your grace the duke of guise doth crave accesse unto your highnes. king. let him come in. come guise and see thy traiterous guile outreacht, and perish in the pit thou mad'st for me. the guise comes to the king. guise. good morrow to your majestie. king. good morrow to my loving cousin of guise. how fares it this morning with your excellence? guise. i heard your majestie was scarcely pleasde, that in the court i bear so great a traine. king. they were to blame that said i was displeasde, and you good cosin to imagine it. twere hard with me if i should doubt my kinne, or be suspicious of my deerest freends: cousin, assure you i am resolute, whatever any whisper in mine eares, not to suspect disloyaltye in thee, and so sweet cuz farwell. exit king [and epernoune]. guise. so, now sues the king for favour to the guise, and all his minions stoup when i commaund: why this tis to have an army in the fielde. now by the holy sacrament i sweare, as ancient romanes over their captive lords, so will i triumph over this wanton king, and he shall follow my proud chariots wheeles. now doe i but begin to look about, and all my former time was spent in vaine: holde sworde, for in thee is the guises hope. enter one of the murtherers. villaine, why cost thou look so gastly? speake. . o pardon me my lord of guise. guise. pardon thee, why what hast thou done? . o my lord, i am one of them that is set to murder you. guise. to murder me, villaine? . i my lord, the rest have taine their standings in the next roome, therefore good my lord goe not foorth. guise. yet caesar shall goe forth. let mean consaits, and baser men feare death, tut they are pesants, i am duke of guise: and princes with their lookes ingender feare. murd. stand close, he is comming, i know him by his voice. guise. as pale as ashes, nay then tis time to look about. all. downe with him, downe with him. they stabbe him. guise. oh i have my death wound, give me leave to speak. . then pray to god, and aske forgivenes of the king. guise. trouble me not, i neare offended him, nor will i aske forgivenes of the king. oh that i have not power to stay my life, nor immortalitie to be reveng'd: to dye by pesantes, what a greefe is this? ah sextus, be reveng'd upon the king, philip and parma, i am slaine for you: pope excommunicate, philip depose, the wicked branch of curst valois's line. vive la messe, perish hugonets, thus caesar did goe foorth, and thus he dies. he dyes. enter captaine of the guarde. captaine. what, have you done? then stay a while and ile goe call the king, [enter king and epernoune attended.] but see where he comes. my lord, see where the guise is slaine. king. oh this sweet sight is phisick to my soule, goe fetch his sonne for to beholde his death: [exit attendant.] surchargde with guilt of thousand massacres, mounser of loraine sinke away to hell, in just remembrance of those bloudy broyles, to which thou didst alure me being alive: and heere in presence of you all i sweare, i nere was king of france untill this houre: this is the traitor that hath spent my golde, in making forraine warres and cruel broiles. did he not draw a sorte of english priestes from doway to the seminary at remes, to hatch forth treason gainst their naturall queene? did he not cause the king of spaines huge fleete, to threaten england and to menace me? did he not injure mounser thats deceast? hath he not made me in the popes defence, to spend the treasure that should strength my land, in civill broiles between navarre and me? tush, to be short, he meant to make me munke, or else to murder me, and so be king. let christian princes that shall heare of this, (as all the world shall know our guise is dead) rest satisfed with this that heer i sweare, nere was there king of france so yoakt as i. epernoune. my lord heer is his sonne. enter the guises sonne. king. boy, look where your father lyes. yong guise. my father slaine, who hath done this deed? king. sirra twas i that slew him, and will slay thee too, and thou prove such a traitor. yong guise. art thou king, and hast done this bloudy deed? ile be revengde. he offereth to throwe his dagger. king. away to prison with him, ile clippe his winges or ere he passe my handes, away with him. exit boy. but what availeth that this traitors dead, when duke dumaine his brother is alive, and that young cardinall that is growne so proud? goe to the governour of orleance, and will him in my name to kill the duke. [exit captaine of the guarde.] get you away and strangle the cardinall. [exit murtherers.] these two will make one entire duke of guise, especially with our olde mothers helpe. epernoune. my lord, see where she comes, as if she droupt to heare these newest enter queene mother [attended]. king. and let her croup, my heart is light enough. mother, how like you this device of mine? i slew the guise, because i would be king. queene mother. king, why so thou wert before. pray god thou be a king now this is done. king. nay he was king and countermanded me, but now i will be king and rule my selfe, and make the guisians stoup that are alive. queene mother. i cannot speak for greefe: when thou went home, i would that i had murdered thee my sonne. my sonne: thou art a changeling, not my sonne. i curse thee and exclaime thee miscreant, traitor to god, and to the realme of france. king. cry out, exclaime, houle till thy throat be hoarce, the guise is slaine, and i rejoyce therefore: and now will i to armes, come epernoune: and let her greeve her heart out if she will. exit the king and epernoune. queene mother. away, leave me alone to meditate. sweet guise, would he had died so thou wert heere: to whom shall i bewray my secrets now, or who will helpe to builde religion? the protestants will glory and insulte, wicked navarre will get the crowne of france, the popedome cannot stand, all goes to wrack, and all for thee my guise: what may i doe? but sorrow seaze upon my toyling soule, for since the guise is dead, i will not live. exit [the attendants taking up body of the guise]. [scene xx] enter two [murtherers] dragging in the cardenall [of loraine]. cardinall. murder me not, i am a cardenall. . wert thou the pope thou mightst not scape from us. cardinall. what, will you fyle your handes with churchmens bloud? . shed your bloud, o lord no: for we entend to strangle you. cardinall. then there is no remedye but i must dye? . no remedye, therefore prepare your selfe. cardinall. yet lives my brother duke dumaine, and many moe: to revenge our deaths upon that cursed king, upon whose heart may all the furies gripe, and with their pawes drench his black soule in hell. . yours my lord cardinall, you should have saide. now they strangle him. so, pluck amaine, he is hard hearted, therfore pull with violence. come take him away. exeunt. [scene xxi] enter duke dumayn reading of a letter, with others. dumaine. my noble brother murthered by the king, oh what may i doe, to revenge thy death? the kings alone, it cannot satisfie. sweet duke of guise our prop to leane upon, now thou art dead, heere is no stay for us: i am thy brother, and ile revenge thy death, and roote valois's line from forth of france, and beate proud burbon to his native home, that basely seekes to joyne with such a king, whose murderous thoughts will be his overthrow. hee wild the governour of orleance in his name, that i with speed should have beene put to death. but thats prevented, for to end his life, and all those traitors to the church of rome, that durst attempt to murder noble guise. enter the frier. frier. my lord, i come to bring you newes, that your brother the cardinall of loraine by the kings consent is lately strangled unto death. dumaine. my brother cardenall slaine and i alive? o wordes of power to kill a thousand men. come let us away and leavy men, tis warre that must asswage the tyrantes pride. frier. my lord, heare me but speak. i am a frier of the order of the jacobyns, that for my conscience sake will kill the king. dumaine. but what doth move thee above the rest to doe the deed? frier. o my lord, i have beene a great sinner in my dayes, and the deed is meritorious. dumaine. but how wilt thou get opportunitye? frier. tush my lord, let me alone for that. dumaine. frier come with me, we will goe talke more of this within. exeunt. [scene xxii] sound drumme and trumpets, and enter the king of france, and navarre, epernoune, bartus, pleshe and souldiers. king. brother of navarre, i sorrow much, that ever i was prov'd your enemy, and that the sweet and princely minde you beare, was ever troubled with injurious warres: i vow as i am lawfull king of france, to recompence your reconciled love, with all the honors and affections, that ever i vouchsafte my dearest freends. navarre. it is enough if that navarre may be esteemed faithfull to the king of france: whose service he may still commaund to death. king. thankes to my kingly brother of navarre. then there wee'l lye before lutetia's walles, girting this strumpet cittie with our siege, till surfeiting with our afflicting armes, she cast her hatefull stomack to the earth. enter a messenger. messenger. and it please your majestie heere is a frier of the order of the jacobins, sent from the president of paris, that craves accesse unto your grace. king. let him come in. enter frier with a letter. epernoune. i like not this friers look. twere not amisse my lord, if he were searcht. king. sweete epernoune, our friers are holy men, and will not offer violence to their king, for all the wealth and treasure of the world. frier, thou dost acknowledge me thy king? frier. i my good lord, and will dye therein. king. then come thou neer, and tell what newes thou bringst. frier. my lord, the president of paris greetes your grace, and sends his dutie by these speedye lines, humblye craving your gracious reply. king. ile read them frier, and then ile answere thee. frier. sancte jacobus, now have mercye on me. he stabs the king with a knife as he readeth the letter, and then the king getteth the knife and killes him. epernoune. o my lord, let him live a while. king. no, let the villaine dye, and feele in hell, just torments for his trechery. navarre. what, is your highnes hurt? king. yes navarre, but not to death i hope. navarre. god shield your grace from such a sodaine death: goe call a surgeon hether strait. [exit attendant.] king. what irreligeous pagans partes be these, of such as horde them of the holy church? take hence that damned villaine from my sight. [exeunt attendants with body] epernoune. ah, had your highnes let him live, we might have punisht him for his deserts. king. sweet epernoune all rebels under heaven, shall take example by his punishment, how they beare armes against their soveraigne. goe call the english agent hether strait, ile send my sister england newes of this, and give her warning of her trecherous foes. [enter surgeon.] navarre. pleaseth your grace to let the surgeon search your wound. king. the wound i warrant you is deepe my lord, search surgeon and resolve me what thou seest. the surgeon searcheth. enter the english agent. agent for england, send thy mistres word, what this detested jacobin hath done. tell her for all this that i hope to live, which if i doe, the papall monarck goes to wrack, an antechristian kingdome falles. these bloudy hands shall teare his triple crowne, and fire accursed rome about his eares. ile fire his erased buildings and incense the papall towers to kisse the holy earth. navarre, give me thy hand, i heere do sweare, to ruinate this wicked church of rome, that hatcheth up such bloudy practices. and heere protest eternall love to thee, and to the queene of england especially, whom god hath blest for hating popery. navarre. these words revive my thoughts and comfort me, to see your highnes in this vertuous minde. king. tell me surgeon, shall i live? surgeon. alas my lord, the wound is dangerous, for you are stricken with a poysoned knife. king. a poysoned knife? what, shall the french king dye, wounded and poysoned, both at once? epernoune. o that that damned villaine were alive againe, that we might torture him with some new found death. bartus. he died a death too good, the devill of hell torture his wicked soule. king. oh curse him not since he is dead. o the fatall poyson workes within my brest, tell me surgeon and flatter not, may i live? surgeon. alas my lord, your highnes cannot live. navarre. surgeon, why saist thou so? the king may live. king. oh no navarre, thou must be king of france. navarre. long may you live, and still be king of france. epernoune. or else dye epernoune. king. sweet epernoune thy king must dye. my lords, fight in the quarrell of this valiant prince, for he is your lawfull king and my next heire: valoyses lyne ends in my tragedie. now let the house of bourbon weare the crowne, and may it never end in bloud as mine hath done. weep not sweet navarre, but revenge my death. ah epernoune, is this thy love to me? henry thy king wipes of these childish teares, and bids thee whet thy sword on sextus bones, that it may keenly slice the catholicks. he loves me not the best that sheds most teares, but he that makes most lavish of his bloud. fire paris where these trecherous rebels lurke. i dye navarre, come beare me to my sepulchre. salute the queene of england in my name, and tell her henry dyes her faithfull freend. he dyes. navarre. come lords, take up the body of the king, that we may see it honourably interde: and then i vow so to revenge his death, that rome and all those popish prelates there, shall curse the time that ere navarre was king, and rulde in france by henries fatall death. they march out with the body of the king, lying on foure mens shoulders with a dead march, drawing weapons on the ground. finis. to h. t. swedenberg, junior _founder_, _protector_, _friend_ [illustration: _he that delights to_ plant _and_ set, _makes_ after-ages _in his_ debt.] where could they find another formed so fit, to poise, with solid sense, a sprightly wit? were these both wanting, as they both abound, where could so firm integrity be found? the verse and emblem are from george wither, _a collection of emblems, ancient and modern_ (london, ), illustration xxxv, page . the lines of poetry ( - ) are from "to my honoured kinsman john driden," in john dryden, _the works of john dryden_, ed. sir walter scott, rev. and corr. george saintsbury (edinburgh: william patterson, ), xi, . the augustan reprint society william mountfort the life and death of _doctor faustus_ made into a farce ( ) _introduction by_ anthony kaufman publication number william andrews clark memorial library university of california, los angeles general editors william e. conway, william andrews clark memorial library george robert guffey, university of california, los angeles maximillian e. novak, university of california, los angeles david s. rodes, university of california, los angeles advisory editors richard c. boys, university of michigan james l. clifford, columbia university ralph cohen, university of virginia vinton a. dearing, university of california, los angeles arthur friedman, university of chicago louis a. landa, princeton university earl miner, princeton university samuel h. monk, university of minnesota everett t. moore, university of california, los angeles lawrence clark powell, william andrews clark memorial library james sutherland, university college, london h. t. swedenberg, jr., university of california, los angeles robert vosper, william andrews clark memorial library carl a. zimansky, state university of iowa corresponding secretary edna c. davis, william andrews clark memorial library editorial assistant jean t. shebanek, william andrews clark memorial library typography by wm. m. cheney introduction according to "some account of the life of mr. w. mountfort" prefixed to the collected plays of , william mountfort, successful playwright and actor, was born "the son of captain _mountfort_, a gentleman of a good family in _staffordshire_; and he spent the greatest part of his younger years in that county, without being bred up to any employment." since "his gaiety of temper and airy disposition ... could not be easily restrain'd to the solitary amusements of a rural life,"[ ] he set out to make his fortune in london, and was employed by the duke's company at the dorset garden theater. first notice of him appears in the part of the "boy" in _the counterfeits_, attributed to john leanerd, and produced in may, .[ ] mountfort was to win notice as an actor in the part of talboy in brome's _the jovial crew_, where as a rejected lover he was called upon for storms of comic tears. in his _apology_, cibber praises mountfort in this part: "in his youth, he had acted low humour, with great success, even down to _tallboy_ in the _jovial crew_"[ ] and mountfort himself alluded to his early success in the prologue to his first play, _the injured lovers_, where he defies the critics: "true talboy to the last i'll cry and write." mountfort scored his first major success as an actor when he played the title role in crowne's _sir courtly nice_. the play's popularity owed much to mountfort's acting of a part which recalls etherege's sir fopling flutter. the "account" of says that mountfort "gain'd a great and deserved reputation, as a player; particularly in acting the part of sir _courtly nice_," and cibber, who was later to create the great sir novelty fashion, says of mountfort's sir courtly: there his whole man, voice, mien, and gesture, was no longer _monfort_, but another person. there, the insipid, soft civility, the elegant, and formal mien; the drawling delicacy of voice, the stately flatness of his address, and the empty eminence of his attitudes were ... nicely observ'd.... if, some years after the death of _monfort_, i my self had any success, in either of these characters, i must pay the debt i owe to his memory, in confessing the advantages i receiv'd from the just idea, and strong impression he had given me, from his action them (_apology_, p. ). in , mountfort married one of the attractive young actresses then appearing in london, susanna percival, and the mountforts appeared together in a number of plays until his untimely death. mountfort brought his first play, _the injured lovers_: or, _the ambitious father_, a tragedy, to be acted at drury lane early in february, . the play was not a great success. gildon mentions that it "did not succeed as the author wish'd,"[ ] although the play was brilliantly cast, with betterton, mrs. bracegirdle, and mrs. barry in chief parts. mountfort himself played second lead to betterton, and the comedians leigh, jevon, and underhill appeared in boisterous roles. but this rather extravagant account of passion and thwarted love did not take. such lines as the heroine's "thy _antelina_, she shall be the pile on which i'll burn, and as i burn i'll smile," reveals an uncertain poetic talent. in the prologue mountfort manages more wit: jo. _hayne's fate is now become my share, for i'm a poet, marry'd, and a player: the greatest of these curses is the first; as for the latter two, i know the worst ..._ and of the play's fate: _damn it who will, damn me, i'll write again; clap down each thought, nay, more than i can think, ruin my family in pen and ink. and tho' my heart should burst to see your spite, true talboy to the last, i'll cry and write...._ unsuccessful at tragedy, mountfort moved to surer ground, and if tragedy did not sell on the market of the 's, farce was surefire. mountfort's _the life and death of doctor faustus, made into a farce ... with the humours of harlequin and scaramouche_, is a most interesting example of restoration farce. the queen's theater in dorset garden was well-fitted for stage spectacle and effect, and mountfort took advantage of his knowledge of the stage and the contemporary audience to produce an amusing and popular hit. the play was revived in , five years after mountfort's death, and again in , at a time when, as borgman tells us (p. ), _the injured lovers_ had been long forgotten. mountfort continued his acting career with great success; he was one of twenty-two men and six women who, on january , were given the position of "comoedians in ordinary" to king james, and he acted in a variety of plays, including shadwell's _the squire of alsatia_, in may, , and _bury fair_, in april, . in dryden's _don sebastian_, produced in december, , he played the young and noble don antonio, described as "the wittiest woman's toy in portugal." although mountfort was best known for comic roles, he scored a success as alexander in nathaniel lee's _the rival queens_, january, . cibber says of his alexander: in tragedy he was the most affecting lover within my memory. his addresses had a resistless recommendation from the very tone of his voice ... all this he particularly verify'd in that scene of _alexander_, where the heroe throws himself at the feet of _statira_ for pardon of his past infidelities. there we saw the great, the tender, the penitent, the despairing, the transported, and the amiable, in the highest perfection (_apology_, pp. - ). mountfort's third play was acted in january, , although it may have been produced as early as december of the previous year. _the successful strangers_, a tragi-comedy, was based on a novel by scarron, _the rival brothers_. in his preface, mountfort confesses, "_i am no scholar, which renders me incapable of stealing from greek and latin authors, as the better learned have done_". the play was a success; its combination of comedy and tragedy appealed to the town, and it was revived several times in the early eighteenth century. as borgman notes (p. ), mountfort's acting career peaked in the season of - , when he acted nine new roles, eight of which were leads. he also prepared a comedy of his own, _greenwich park_, and assisted in the writing or preparation of three other plays. he assisted settle with _distress'd innocence_, and his name is linked with two plays by john bancroft, _edward iii_ and _henry the second_, although his contribution here, if any, is uncertain. the publishers of the collected plays of note that "we have annex'd, _king edward the third_, and _henry the second_; which tho' not wholly composed by him, it is presum'd he had, at least, a share in fitting them for the stage, otherwise it cannot be supposed he would have taken the liberty of writing dedications to them." borgman says of these plays that mountfort "doubtless scanned the script with a critical eye and made such changes as would seem necessary to an experienced man of the theater" (p. ). in _greenwich park_, mountfort scored his greatest success. the comedy is a hilarious mixture of the comedy of manners, humours, and farce. the prologue sounds the dominant motif of the play, that of satiric and energetic sex-intrigue: "at greenwich lies the scene, where many a lass has bin green-gown'd upon the tender grass." the play hits wittily at fortune-hunters, cits, and old fellows who attempt to ignore their age. there is heavy reference to the contemporary london scene. the comedy was produced in april, , with great success; gildon says of it: "a very pretty comedy, and has been always received with general applause" (_lives and characters_, p. ). the gay and witty florella was played by mrs. mountfort--who played a part very much like that in which she was so successful previously, sir anthony love. mrs. barry played the passionate dorinda, a promiscuous and mercenary woman who, at one point in the play, cries out in the best tradition of sentimental comedy: "oh what a curse 'tis, when for filthy gain we affect a pleasure in a real pain." sir thomas reveller, the heavy but comic father, was played by leigh; nokes and underhill played comic cits, and mountfort himself played opposite his wife as young reveller. the play was revived repeatedly, and remains a delightful work. mountfort's best part of his last year came in december, , when he played the hilarious lout, mr. friendall, of southerne's _the wives' excuse_. the play is good comedy, but quite serious, as southerne focuses on the distress of an intelligent, sensitive woman, saddled with a foolish husband who is the perfect representative of a frivolous and malicious society. on friday, december , mountford acted what must have been his final role, alexander in _the rival queens_. * * * * * mountfort's life ended at the height of his fame, in the most spectacular and dramatic murder of its time. the notorious lord mohun, then age fifteen, frequented the playhouse in , often in the company of captain richard hill, age twenty. hill hoped to win the affections of anne bracegirdle, known not only for her beauty and acting ability, but also for her chastity--supposedly a scarce virtue among the actresses of the time. in _a comparison between the two stages_, the following dialogue takes place: _sullen_: but does that _romantick virgin_ [bracegirdle] still keep up her great reputation? _critick_: d'ye mean her reputation for acting? _sullen_: i mean her reputation for not acting; you understand me--....[ ] hill, making no headway with mrs. bracegirdle, concluded that she was in fact interested in mountfort; they had often appeared on the stage together. more than once hill was heard to utter threats against the actor, although mohun was apparently on friendly terms with mountfort hill, determined to abduct the actress, persuaded mohun to be his accomplice. they set friday, december , as the date, and about ten o'clock in the evening, accompanied by some soldiers under hill's command, they ambushed mrs. bracegirdle, her mother and her brother, hamlet bracegirdle, along with a man named page, in drury lane. the actress's mother and mr. page fended the villains off for a time, in a moment a crowd gathered, and the would-be kidnappers saw that their plan was useless. hill escorted the actress home and after having muttered a threat at mr. page proceeded to pace up and down outside their door. approximately an hour and a half later, mountfort appeared in howard street--apparently intent on confronting hill and mohun. mohun greeted the actor courteously and asked if he had been sent for. mountfort professed that he did not know anything of the business at hand, that he had come there by chance, adding that mrs. bracegirdle was no concern of his. what happened then happened fast and the witnesses disagree (see borgman, pp. ff). it would seem, however, that hill first struck the actor, then quickly drew and ran him through before mountfort could draw. on his deathbed, traditionally the locale for truth-telling, mountfort reported that "_my lord mohun offered me no violence, but whilst i was talking with my lord mohun, hill struck me with his left hand, and with his right hand run me through, before i could put my hand to my sword_" (borgman, p. ). it would seem clear that hill gave the actor his deathblow and then, while the cry of murder was raised, escaped into the night. mountfort, fatally wounded, staggered toward his own home in the next street. as mrs. mountfort opened the door, her husband fell bleeding into her arms; at one o'clock in the afternoon of the next day, he died. according to the "account," he was to have played bussy d'ambois that night--marlowe's tragedy of a young man who meets his death through assassination. although hill made good his escape, lord mohun stood trial in westminster before his peers. mohun's defense was simply that he was not privy to hill's design and did not assist and encourage him in it. the lords, having heard the evidence, retired, and the next day, saturday, february, acquitted mohun of wrongdoing by a vote of - . the prisoner was discharged. the united company found themselves seriously hampered by the death of mountfort, and even more so when fifteen days later the great comedian anthony leigh died. the "account" says that mountfort's death "had so great an affect on his dear companion, mr. lee the comedian, that he did not survive him above the space of a week." the company delayed the opening of a new play by one william congreve, _the old bachelor_. but when that smash hit finally came on the boards in march , susanna mountfort played the gay évaporée, belinda, to great applause. and on january , she married the actor john verbruggen. the rather mysterious anne bracegirdle, for whom mountfort had been killed, played female leads in all of congreve's plays, and just as the public had once speculated on her relationship to mountfort, they now speculated on her relationship to congreve. although farce was popular with london audiences during the restoration, there was considerable controversy as to what it was and what it was worth. in a period in which the canon of english literary criticism was being formed, farce illustrates the disparity between received classical principles and the playwright's actual craft. dryden, who himself "stooped" to writing farce, nonetheless sneers in his preface to _an evening's love, or the mock-astrologer_ [ ]: farce ... consists principally of grimaces ... comedy consists, though of low persons, yet of natural actions and characters; i mean such humours, adventures, and designs, as are to be found and met with in the world. farce, on the other side, consists of forced humours, and unnatural events. comedy presents us with the imperfections of human nature: farce entertains us with what is monstrous and chimerical.[ ] farce was theoretically unpopular because it relied on the extravagant and unnatural, as opposed to the play of real character found in comedy. and whereas in seventeenth-century comedy the avowed intention is usually to expose and thus to reform the vices and follies of the age, farce uses the grossly physical to draw a laugh; there is nothing to be learned from the slapstick and pigsbladder. though sneered at by theorists and subject to endless abuse in the prologues and epilogues of the day, farce continued as pleasing to restoration audiences as it is today. james sutherland notes that shrewd actor-playwrights such as mountfort, betterton, underhill, jevon, dogget, powell--men who knew intimately the tastes of the town, chose to write farce.[ ] tate's _a duke and no duke_, aphra behn's _the emperor of the moon_, and jevon's _the devil of a wife_, were among the most popular offerings, and although the restoration wit may have gone to "dr. faustus" with a certain sense of intellectual slumming, he did continue to support quite generously the _farceurs_ of that time. moreover, farcical elements appear regularly in the supposedly elegant and artificial restoration comedy of manners. "dr. faustus" is a highly competent putting-together of those components which the experienced actor-playwright knew to be surefire. the date of its premier production is not known and has been assigned to a date as early as and as late as . the farce was not published until the quarto of , which appeared without cast-list, prologue, or epilogue.[ ] the title page, however, states that the farce was acted at dorset garden "several times," by "lee" (anthony leigh) and jevon, and, as the editor of _the london stage_ points out, since jevon died in december of , the premiere was probably no later than the season of - .[ ] borgman maintains that "dr. faustus" is mountfort's second work, after _the injured lovers_ of february, , noting that the epilogue to that play, spoken by jevon, suggests that mountfort was planning, or had written, a farce: _pardon but this, and i will pawn my life, his next shall match my devil of a wife, we'll grace it with the imbellishment of song and dance; we'll have the monsieur once again from _france_, with's hoop and glasses, and when that is done, he shall divert you with his riggadoon._ we might guess, then, that if the epilogue does refer to "dr. faustus," the date of that play is as late as the spring of . mountfort took as his raw material marlowe's great tragedy and for that reason "dr. faustus" may be to some extent thought of as a burlesque. the restoration audience delighted in marlowe's faustus; the elizabethan tragedy had been played in , and there was a performance at the duke's theater in september, . edward phillips wrote in his _theatrum poetarum_, that "of all that [marlowe] hath written to the stage his dr. _faustus_ hath made the greatest noise with its devils and such like tragical sport."[ ] here lies the suggestion that mountfort was to take up, for as borgman notes, marlowe's tragedy has two distinct lines: the mighty verse which makes up the tragedy of an heroic overreacher, and a comic line of farcical _lazzi_. mountfort has trimmed away the poetry of marlowe and, for the most part, retained the farcical elements of the earlier play.[ ] mountfort keeps the compact with mephostopholis, the appearance of good and bad angels, the visit of lucifer and beelzebub, the pageant of the seven deadly sins, the cheating of the horse-courser, the admonitions of the old man, the summoning of the spirits of alexander and darius, the tricking of benvolio, the final moments of remorse before faustus is dragged down to hell, and finally, the discovery of faustus's limbs in his study. mountfort's purpose, as borgman notes, was not to convert an elizabethan tragedy into a restoration one, but to affix additional farcical materials to a work that already contained scenes of slapstick. mountfort's unique contribution to his source was the introduction of the _commedia dell'arte_ figures which had become well-known to london theatergoers because of several visits to london by italian actors since the restoration. probably, as borgman notes (p. ), the first englishmen to play scaramouche and harlequin were griffin and haynes who had in appeared with the king's company in ravenscroft's _scaramouch a philosopher, harlequin a school-boy, bravo, merchant, and magician_. when aphra behn's _the emperor of the moon_ appeared in march, , leigh played scaramouche and harlequin was taken by jevon. it seems probable that in order that these two actors might have a further opportunity to appear as these popular characters, a place was found for scaramouche and harlequin in mountfort's farce. the text of mountfort's "dr. faustus" reveals that his farce, like any, must depend to a great extent on its _farceurs_. in jevon and leigh he had talented players and much of the script can be regarded merely as an improvisational chart allowing the two famed comics to maneuver. jevon, as leo hughes points out, built up a considerable reputation, chiefly in low comedy roles since his first notice as osric in a revival of hamlet in .[ ] having a slight, thin figure, he was noted for his grace of movement and agility on the stage; he played harlequin. although jevon could play such straight roles as young bellair in _the man of mode_, he, along with nokes, underhill, and leigh, made his reputation in the boisterous farce of which "dr. faustus" is an excellent example. anthony leigh played scaramouche. of his acting cibber says: in humour, he lov'd to take a full career, but was careful enough to stop short, when just upon the precipice: he had great variety, in his manner, and was famous in very different characters.... but no wonder _leigh_ arriv'd to such fame, in what was so completely written for him; when characters that would make the reader yawn, in the closet, have by the strength of his action, been lifted into the lowdest laughter, on the stage (_apology_, p. - ). that jevon and leigh played well together is evident, and one can see great possibilities in their improvisation of such _lazzi_ as the episode of the "dead body," act i, scene i, or in the elaborate show of compliment which ends the first act. the presence of scaramouche and harlequin in mountfort's adaptation suggests the influence of the italian and french _commedia_ on the restoration stage, although, as leo hughes points out, the native tradition of farce is paramount (pp. - ). hughes notes that although the _commedia_ influence is obvious, italian farce is different in style from the english, and that although there were four or five tours by _commedia_ troops between and , these visits were not enough to influence significantly english farce writing. furthermore, the italian's art was improvisational--they used no printed texts, and the english would therefore have even less chance to copy from the _commedia_. readers of "dr. faustus" will find little trace of _commedia_ influence apart from the conventional names. hughes acknowledges (p. ) the greater influence of the french stage in the restoration, owing chiefly to the great popularity of molière, whose influence on farce, especially on the afterpiece which became a staple on the english stage after , was long-lived. his prestige was great; he appealed to english taste, and such characters as m. jourdain, m. pourceaugnac, and sganarelle appear repeatedly in english adaptations. the action of farce is typically a string of blow-ups, stage business highly dependent on fast pacing. characteristically on the english stage there is a great deal of stage-effect; "dr. faustus," produced at the dorset garden theater where farce was often produced in order to take advantage of the elaborate stage machinery available there, makes use of rising tables, a giant which divides in two, good and bad angels which rise and descend, fireworks, a vanishing feast, a view of hell, and even more. indeed, the often hilarious stage directions give us good insight into the capabilities of the restoration stage. the finale is typical: "_scene discovers faustus's limbs_." after the old man piously hopes that this "may ... a fair example be to all, to avoid such ways which brought poor faustus's fall," the "_scene changes to hell. faustus limbs come together. a dance, and song._" farce often verges on satire, and, as he was to demonstrate in _greenwich park_, mountfort had an eye for contemporary foibles. at the end of act i, harlequin and scaramouche engage in dialogue which suggests similar passages of rough satire in wycherley. asked what practice his master, a doctor, has, harlequin replies: why his business is to patch up rotten whores against the term for country lawyers, and attorneys clerks; and against _christmas_, _easter_ and _whitsun_ holidays, for city apprentices; and if his pills [to cure clap] be destroy'd, 'twill ruin him in one term. mountford altered the pageant of the seven sins that he found in marlowe, changing it in at least one case to bring it up to date. he begins by paraphrasing marlowe: _faustus_: what art thou the third? _envy_: i am _envy_; begot by a chimny-sweeper upon an oyster-wench. i cannot read, and wish all books burnt. but then mountford departs from his source, adding the following lines: i always curst the governement, that i was not prefer'd; and was a male-content in three kings reigns (ii, i). the three kings are, i suppose, charles i, charles ii, and james ii, and the satiric jab is against those who perennially oppose the establishment. furthermore, it is easy to imagine that the role of faustus, whoever played it, could well have been acted as a parody of the "tragical" acting style of the day, with its curious sing-song tone and stylized gestures. mountfort's "dr. faustus" gives us an often amusing insight into that much despised, ever-popular bastard-child of the restoration stage: farce. if the direct influence of the _commedia_ is slight, the spirit of improvisational comedy is embodied in the inspired buffoonery of leigh and jevon, reinforced by stage-effect and spots of contemporary satire. the play proved a hit and that undoubtedly was the playwright's sole intention. the farce is workmanlike, and as the "account" prefixed to the collected plays observes, "the life and death of doctor _faustus_ has a great deal of low, but entertaining humour; it sufficiently shews his talents that way." university of illinois urbana notes to the introduction . _six plays, written by mr. mountfort_ (london, ), volumes. all references to plays other than "dr. faustus" are taken from this collection. . the substance of my account of mountfort's life and work is based on albert s. borgman, _the life and death of william mountfort_ (cambridge: harvard university press, ). . _an apology for the life of colley cibber_, ed. b. r. s. fone (ann arbor: university of michigan press, ), p. . . charles gildon, _the lives and characters of the english dramatick poets_ (london, [ ?]), p. . . (london, ), p. . . _essays of john dryden_, ed. w. p. ker (new york: russell & russell, ; rpt. ), i, - . . _english literature of the late seventeenth century_ (oxford: clarendon press, ), p. . . the first edition, page , omits the period at the end of . and the speech prefix "meph." for . . these are correctly added in the second edition ( ). . _the london stage - , part i: - _, ed. w. van lennep (carbondale, ill.: southern illinois university press, ), . . (london, ), p. . . borgman outlines the changes mountfort made in his source; see pp. ff and appendix a. . _a century of english farce_ (princeton: princeton university press, ), pp. - . bibliographical note the facsimile of mountfort's _the life and death of doctor faustus_ ( ) is reproduced by permission from a copy of the first edition (shelf mark: ) in _the huntington library, san marino, california_. the total type-page (p. ) measures x mm. the life and death of doctor faustus, made into a farce. by mr. _mountford_. _first edition_ with the humours of _harlequin_ and _scaramouche_: as they were several times acted by mr. _lee_ and mr. _jevon_, at the queens theatre in _dorset_ garden. newly revived, at the theatre in _lincolns inn fields_, with _songs_ and _dances_ between the acts. _london_, printed and sold by _e. whitlock_ near _stationers_ hall, ( ) the life and death of dr. faustus. act i. scene i. _dr._ faustus _seated in his chair, and reading in his study_. _good and bad angel ready._ _faust._ settle thy study, _faustus_, and begin to sound the depth of that thou wilt profess; these metaphysicks of magicians, and negromantick books, are heav'nly lines, circles, letters, characters, ay, these are those that _faustus_ most desires; a sound magician is a demi-god: here tire my brains to get a deity. mephostopholis _under the stage_. _a good and bad angel fly down._ _good ang._ o _faustus_! lay that damn'd book aside; and gaze not on it, lest it tempt thy heart to blasphemy. _bad ang._ go forward, _faustus_, in that famous art wherein all natures treasure is contain'd: be thou on earth as _jove_ is in the sky, lord and commander of these elements. _spirits ascend._ _faust._ how am i glutted with conceit of this? shall i make spirits fetch me what i please? i'll have 'em fly to _india_ for gold, ransack the ocean for orient pearl. i'll have 'em wall all _germany_ with brass: i'll levy soldiers with the coin they bring, and chase the prince of _parma_ from our land. [_rises._ 'tis now the dead nigh noon of night, and _lucifer_ his spirits freedom gives; i'll try if in this circle i can raise a _dæmon_ to inform me what i long for. _sint mihi dii acherontis propitii, orientis princeps, beelzebub, german. demogorgon._ [thunders. _mephostopholis, mephostopholis, surgat spiritus._ mephostopholis _speaks under ground_. [thunders. _meph._ _faustus_, i attend thy will. _faust._ where art thou? _meph._ here. [_a flash of light._ _scar. within._ oh, oh, oh. _faust._ what noise is that? hast thou any companions with thee? _meph._ no. _faust._ it comes this way? _scar._ oh, oh, o----. [_enter_ scaramouche. _faust._ what ail'st thou? _scar._ o' o' o' _faust._ speak, fellow, what's the matter? _scar._ o poor _scaramouche_! _faust._ speak, i conjure thee; or _acherontis dii demogorgon_.---- _scar._ o i beseech you conjure no more, for i am frighted into a _diabetes_ already. _faust._ frighted at what? _scar._ i have seen, oh, oh---- _faust._ what? _scar._ the devil. _faust._ art sure it was the devil? _scar._ the devil, or the devil's companion: he had a head like a bulls, with horns on; and two eyes that glow'd like the balls of a dark lantern: his hair stood a tiptoe, like your new-fashion'd top-knots; with a mouth as large as a king's beef eater: his nails was as sharp as a welshman's in passion; and he look'd as frightful as a sergeant to an _alsatian_. _faust._ but why art thou afraid of the devil? _scar._ why i never said my prayers in all my life, but once; and that was when my damn'd wife was sick, that she might dye: my ears are as deaf to good council, as _french_ dragoons are to mercy. and my conscience wants as much sweeping as a cook's chimny. and i have as many sins to answer for as a church-warden, or an overseer of the poor. _faust._ why, the devil loves sinners at his heart. _scar._ does he so? _faust._ he hates none, but the vertuous, and the godly. such as fast, and go to church, and give alms-deeds. _scar._ i never saw a church in my life, thank god, (i mean the devil;) and for fasting, it was always my abomination; and for alms, i never gave any thing in my life, but the itch once to a pawn-broker. therefore i hope he may love me. _faust._ and he shall love thee; i'll bring thee acquainted with him. _scar._ acquainted with the devil? _faust._ ay; _tanto metropontis acherontis_. _scar._ oh, oh, oh. _faust._ fear nothing _mephostopholis_, be visible. [scaramouche _sinks behind the doctor, and peeps his head out behind the slip of his gown._ _a devil rises in thunder and lightning._ i charge thee to be gon, and change thy shape; thou art too ugly to attend on me. i find there's virtue in my charm; come, rise up, fool, the devil's gon. [_the devil sinks._ _scar._ the devil go with him. _faust._ fear nothing, i command the devil. if thou wilt leave thy chimny-sweeping trade, and live with me, thou shalt have meat and drink in plenty; and crowns a year shall be thy wages; i'll make thee learned in the black art. _scar._ i am a student in that already: but let me consider, good meat and drink, and crowns a year. then i'll change my black art for yours. _faust._ there's earnest, thou art now my servant; dispose of thy brooms and poles, they'll be useless to thee here; take this key, go into my study, and clean; take all the books you find scatter'd about, and range 'em orderly upon the shelves. _scar._ happy _scaramouche_, now may'st thou swear, lye, steal, drink and whore; for thy master is the devil's master, and thou in time may'st master 'em both. [_exit_ scaram. _enter_ mephostopholis. _meph._ now, _faustus_, what wouldst thou have with me? _faust._ i charge thee wait upon me whilst i live, and do what-ever _faustus_ shall command. _meph._ ay _faustus_, so i will, if thou wilt purchase me of _lucifer_. _faust._ what says _lucifer_, thy lord? _meph._ that i shall wait on _faustus_ whilst he lives, so thou wilt buy my service with thy blood. _faust._ already _faustus_ has hazarded that for thee. _meph._ ay, but thou must bequeath it solemnly, and write a deed of gift with it; for that security craves _lucifer_. if thou deny it, i must back to hell. _bad ang._ but _faustus_, if i shall have thy soul, i'll be thy slave, and worship thy commands, and give thee more than thou hast will of. _faust._ if he wilt spare me four and twenty years, letting me live in all voluptuousness, to have thee ever to attend on me, to give me whatsoever i shall ask, and tell me whatsoever i demand; on these conditions i resign it to him. _meph._ then, _faustus_ stab thy arm couragiously, and bind thy soul, that at some certain day great _lucifer_ may claim it as his own; and then be thou as great as _lucifer_. _faust._ lo, _mephostopholis_, for love of thee, _faustus_ has cut his arm, and with his proper blood assures his soul to be great _lucifers_. _meph._ but, _faustus_, write it in manner of a deed, and gift. _faust._ ay, so i do; but, _mephostopholis_, my blood congeals, and i can write no more. _meph._ i'll fetch thee fire to dissolve it streight. [_exit._ _faust._ what might the staying of my blood portend, it is unwilling i should write this bill. _good and bad angel descend._ _good an._ yet, _faustus_, think upon thy precious soul. _bad an._ no, _faustus_, think of honour, and of wealth. _faust._ of wealth. why all the _indies_, _ganges_, shall be mine. _good an._ no, _faustus_, everlasting tortures shall be thine. _bad an._ no, _faustus_, everlasting glory shall be thine. the world shall raise a statue of thy name, and on it write, this, this is he that could command the world. [_good angel ascends, bad angel descends._ _faust._ command the world; ay, _faustus_, think on that, why streams not then my blood that i may write? _faustus_ gives to thee his soul; oh! there it stops. why shouldst thou not? is not thy soul thy own? _enter_ mephostopholis _with a chafer of fire_. _meph._ see, _faustus_, here is fire, set it on. _faust._ so now the blood begins to clear again. _meph._ what is't i would not do to obtain his soul? _faust._ _consummatum est_; the bill is ended. but what is this inscription on my arm? _homo fuge_: whether shall i fly? my senses are deceiv'd, here's nothing writ; o yes, i see it plain, even here is writ _homo fuge_; yet shall not _faustus_ fly, i'll call up something to delight his mind. [_song._ mephostopholis _waves his wand_. _enter several devils, who present crowns to_ faustus, _and after a dance vanish_. _faust._ what means this then? _meph._ 'tis to delight thy mind, and let thee see what magick can perform. _faust._ and may i raise such spirits when i please. _meph._ ay, _faustus_, and do greater things than these. _faust._ then, _mephostopholis_ receive this deed of gift; but set conditionally, that thou perform all covenants and articles herein subscribed. _meph._ i swear by hell, and _lucifer_, to effect all promises between us both. _faust._ then take it. _meph._ do you deliver it as your deed, and gift? _faust._ ay, and the devil do you good on't. _meph._ so, now, _faustus_, ask what thou wilt. _faust._ then let me have a wife. faustus _waves his wand, and a woman devil rises: fire-works about whirles round, and sinks_. _faust._ what sight is this? _meph._ now, _faustus_ wilt thou have a wife? _faust._ here's a hot whore indeed, i'll have no wife. _meph._ marriage is but a ceremonial toy; i'll cull thee out the fairest curtezans, and bring 'em every morning to thy bed: she whom thy eye shall like, thy heart shall have. _faust._ then, _mephostopholis_, let me behold the famous _hellen_, who was the occasion of great _troys'_ destruction. _meph._ _faustus_, thou shalt. [_waves his wand, enters._ _faust._ o _mephostopholis_! what would i give to gain a kiss from off those lovely lips. _meph._ _faustus_, thou may'st. [_he kisses her._ _faust._ my soul is fled; come _hellen_, come, give me my soul again; she's gon. [_he goes to kiss her again, and she sinks._ _meph._ women are shy you know at the first sight; but come, _faustus_, command me somewhat else. _faust._ then tell me, is hell so terrible as church-men write it. _meph._ no, _faustus_ 'tis glorious as the upper world; but that we have night and day, as you have here: above there's no night. _faust._ why sighs my _mephostopholis_, i think hell's a meer fable. _meph._ ay, think so still. _faust._ tell me who made the world? _meph._ i will not. _faust._ sweet _mephos._ _meph._ move me no further. _faust._ villain, have i not bound thee to tell me any thing. _meph._ that's not against our kingdom, this is: thou art lost; think thou of hell. _faust._ think, _faustus_, upon him that made the world. _meph._ remember this. [_sinks._ _faust._ ay, go accursed spirit to ugly hell, 'tis thou hast damn'd distressed _faustus_ soul: i will repent: ha! [_goes to his books._ this bible's fast, but here's another: [_they both fly out of's hand, and a flaming thing appears written_, &c. is't not too late? [_ring. good and bad descend._ _bad an._ too late. _good an._ never too late, if _faustus_ will repent. _bad an._ _faustus_, behold, behold thy deed; if thou repent devils will tear thee in pieces. _good an._ repent, and they shall never raze thy skin. [_scene shuts, ang. ascends._ _scene changes to the street._ _enter_ harlequin. _harl._ this must be mr. doctor's house; i'll make bold to knock: my heart fails me already. [harlequin _opens the door, peeps about, and shuts it_. i begin to tremble at the thoughts of seeing the devil. [_knocks again._ here's a great resort of devils, the very doors smell of brimstone: i'll e'en back----no: i'll be a man of resolution: but if mr. doctor should send a familiar to open the door, in what language should i speak to the devil? [_knocks._ _enter_ scaramouche. _scar. peeping._ this is some malicious spirit, that will not let me alone at my study; but i'll go in, and conn my book. [_exit._ _harl._ i believe mr. doctor is very busy; but i'll rap this time with authority. [harlequin _raps at the door_, scaramouche _peeps out_. harlequin _strikes him, and jumps back, runs frighted off_. _scene changes to a room in the doctor's house._ _enter_ scaramouche, _with a book in the doctor's gown_. _scar._ i have left the door open to save the devil the labour of knocking, if he has a mind to come in: for i am resolved not to stir from my book; i found it in the doctor's closet, and know it must contain something of the black art. _enter_ harlequin. _harl._ oh here's mr. doctor himself; he's reading some conjuring book. _ide fain jecit._ _scar._ this must be a conjuring book by the hard words. ab, eb, ib, ob, ub, ba, bo, bu, bi. _harl._ its a child's primer. [harlequin _looks over him_. _scar._ the devil, the devil; be gon, avoid satan. [_runs off._ _harl._ o the devil! now will i lye as if i were dead, and let the devil go hunt for my soul. [_lyes down._ _enter_ scaramouche. _scar._ i have learn'd to raise the devil, but how the devil shall i do to lay him. ha! what's here, a dead body? the devil assum'd this body, and when i began to mutter my prayers, he was in such haste he left his carcass behind him. ha! it stirs; no, 'twas but my fancy. [scaram. _lifts up all his limbs, and lets 'em fall, whil'st_ harl. _hits him on the breech, lifts his head, which falls gently_. all's dead but's head. [_sets him upright._ the devil, the devil! be gon; what art thou? _harl._ a poor unfortunate devil. _scar._ the devil; _avant_ then _hagon mogon strogon_. _harl._ o good mr. doctor, conjure up no more devils and i'll be gon, or any thing.--i came only to ask your black artship a question. _scar._ no, this is not the devil. who art thou? whence comest thou? what's thy business, quick, or _hogon strogon_? _harl._ hold, hold, hold, i am poor _harlequin_: by the learned i am called _zane_, by the vulgar _jack pudding_. i was late fool to a mountebank; and last night, in the mistaking the pipkin, i eat up a pot of _bolus_ instead of hasty pudding; and devour'd three yards of _diaculum_ plaister instead of pancake, for which my master has turn'd me out of doors instead of wages: therefore, to be reveng'd, i come to hire a devil or two of you, mr. doctor, of a strong constitution, that may swallow up his turpentine pills as fast as he makes 'em, that he may never cure poor whore more of a clap; and then he'll be undone, for they are his chief patients. _scar._ what practice has he? _harl._ why his business is to patch up rotten whores against the term for country lawyers, and attorneys clerks; and against _christmas_, _easter_ and _whitsun_ holidays, for city apprentices; and if his pills be destroy'd, 'twill ruin him in one term. _scar._ come in; and for a crown a week i'll lett thee out a devil, as they do horses at livery, shall swallow him a peck of pills a day, though every one were as big as a pumpkin; and make nothing of a _bolus_ for a breakfast. _harl._ o brave mr. doctor! o dainty mr. devil! _scar._ seigniora. [_here they complement who shall go first._ _the end of the first act._ act ii. faustus _in his study_. _good and bad angel descend._ _good an._ _faustus_, repent; yet heav'n will pity thee. _bad an._ thou art a spirit, heav'n cannot pity thee. _fau._ who buzzes in my ear, i am a spirit; be i a devil yet heaven can pity me: yea, heaven will pity me, if i repent. _bad an._ ay, but _faustus_ never shall repent. _good an._ sweet _faustus_ think of heav'n, and heavenly things. [_ascends._ _fau._ my heart is hardened, i cannot repent. scarce can i name salvation, faith, or heav'n, but i am pinch'd, and prick'd, in thousand places. o help distressed _faustus_! lucifer, beelzebub. _and_ mephostopholis _rises_. _luc._ none can afford thee help; for only i have interest in thee, _faustus_. _fau._ oh! what art thou, that looks so terrible? _luc._ i am _lucifer_, and this is my companion prince in hell. _beel._ we are come to tell thee thou dost injure us. _luc._ thou call'st on heav'n contrary to thy promise. _beel._ thou should'st not think on heav'n. _fau._ nor will i henceforth pardon him for this, and _faustus_ vows never to look to heav'n. _beel._ so shalt thou shew thy self a faithful servant, and we will highly gratify thee for it. _fau._ those words delight my soul. _luc._ _faustus_, we are come in person to shew thee passtime; sit down, and thou shalt behold the seven deadly sins in their own proper shapes and likeness. _fau._ that sight will be as pleasant to my eye, as paradise to _adam_ the first day of his creation. _beel._ talk not of paradise, but mind the show. go, _mephostopholis_, and fetch 'em in; and, _faustus_, question 'em their names. _enter pride._ _fau._ what art thou? _prid._ i am _pride_; i was begot by disdain and affectation. i always took the wall of my betters; had ever the first cut, or else would not eat: i scorn'd all advice, never thought any one handsom but my self; had the best pue in the church, though a tradesman's wife; and at last dyed of the spleen, for want of a coach and six horses. why is not thy room perfum'd, and spread with cloth of _tissue_? what must you sit, and i stand? rise up brute. _fau._ go, thou art a proud slut indeed. [_exit._ _enter_ covetousness. now what art thou the second. _cov._ i am _covetousness_; i was begot by a close fist, and a griping heart, in a usurer's chest. i never eat, to save charges: this coat has cover'd me for fourscore winters: this beard has seen as many more. i never slept in my life, but always watch'd my gold. _fau._ what wert thou on earth? _cov._ i was first an exciseman, and cheated the king and country; then i was a baker, and from every neighbor's loaf i stole two pound, and swore 'twas shrunk in the oven. i was a vintner, and by bribing of quest-men had leave to sell in pint bottles for quarts: at last i was a horse-courser, made _smithfield_ too hot to hold me, and rid post to the devil? give me some gold, father? [_exit._ _enter_ envy. _fau._ what art thou the third? _env._ i am _envy_; begot by a chimny-sweeper upon an oyster-wench. i cannot read, and wish all books burnt. i always curst the government that i was not prefer'd; and was a male-content in three kings reigns. i am lean with seeing others eat; and i wish the devil would make a sponge of thy heart, to wipe out the score of my sins. _enter_ wrath. _fau._ out, envious wretch. what art thou the fourth? _wra._ i am _wrath_; i had neither father nor mother, but leap'd out of a lion's mouth when i was scarce an hour old. i always abhor'd the art of patience, and curst all fisher-men. i beat my wife for my pleasure; curst heav'n in my passion, 'cause it gave me no fortune, and was hang'd for a rape on a _scotch_ pedlar. [_exit._ _enter_ gluttony. _fau._ what art thou the fifth? _glut._ i am _gluttony_; begot by a plow-man on a washer-woman, who devour'd a _chedder_ cheese in two hours. i am of a royal pedigree: my grand-father was a sur-loin of beef, and my mother a gammon of bacon: my sisters were sows, which supply'd me with pork: my brothers were calves, which afforded me veal: my god-fathers were _peter_ pickled-herring, and _michael_ milk-porredg: my god-mothers were _susan_ salt-butter, and _margery_ sous'd-hog's-face. now, _faustus_, thou hast heard my pedigree, wilt thou invite me to supper? _fau._ not i. _glut._ then the devil choak thee. _enter_ sloth. _fau._ what art thou the sixth? _slo._ hey ho! i am _sloth_; i was begotten at church by a sleepy judg on a costermonger's wife, in the middle of a long sermon. i am as lazy as a fishmonger in the dog-days, or a parson in _lent_: i would not speak another word for a king's ransom. _enter_ leachery. _fau._ and what are you, mr. _minks_, the seventh and last? _leach._ i am one that love an inch of raw mutton better than an ell of fry'd stock-fish, and the first letter of my name begins with _leachery_. [_exit._ _fau._ this sight delights my soul. _luc._ _faustus_ in hell are all manner of delights. _fau._ o might i see hell once, and return safe. _luc.__ faustus_, thou shalt; give me thy hand. hence let's descend, and we will _faustus_ show the mighty pleasures in the world below. [_vanishes._ scene _changes_. _enter_ harlequin, _and_ scaramouche _in the doctor's gown; a wand, and a circle_. _scar._ so, now am i in my _pontificalibus_: now can i shew my black art; for i have found that heavenly book which _faustus_ used to raise the dead in: come, stand within this circle. _har._ 'tis time to conjure, for i am almost famish'd. we have fasted like priests for a miracle. _scar._ i'll make thee amends presently; i'll conjure up a spirit, ask what thou wilt thou shalt have it. _har._ let me alone for asking. _scar._ be very earnest with him, and intreat mightily. _har._ i'll intreat earnestly. _scar._ silence. _sint mihi dii acherontis propitii nobis diccatus mephostopholis, &c._ mephostopholis _rises_. _meph._ how am i tortur'd by these villains charms? from _constantinople_ have they brought me now, only for measure of these idle slaves? what would you with _mephostopholis_? _scar._ wee'd know how dr. _faustus_ does. _meph._ well. _scar._ when comes he home? _meph._ within two days. _scar._ what was he doing when you left him? _meph._ he was at supper, eating good chear. _har._ good mr. devil, tell him we are almost starv'd; and desire him to send us some of his good chear. _meph._ is that all? _har._ some wine too? _meph._ what else. _har._ what else: why if fornication been't against your commandments, we would have some live flesh; a handsom wench. _scar._ only for a third person, and please your damnation. _meph._ you shall have your desires. _har._ we desire your mephostopholiship too, not to let us stay the roasting and boiling of any thing: for we are as eager as the wine in _smithfield_, and want no whetting. _meph._ you shall. scaramouche _and_ harlequin _pull off their caps_. now if your mighty darkness would please to retire. _meph._ farewell. [_vanish._ scaramouche _steps out of the circle, and struts about_. _scar._ now how do you like my art? _har._ o rare art! o divine mr. doctor _scaramouche_! if the devil be as good as his word, i'll owe him a good turn as long as i live: but i wish our third person would come. _a giant rises._ ha! what's here? _gi._ i am sent by _pluto_ to bear you company. _har._ is this his third person? or is it three generations in one? come you from _guild-hall_, sir? _gi._ no, mortal, from the _stygian_ lake. i am the giant which st. _george_ destroy'd; and in the earth have been decaying ever since, but now am come to eat with you. _scar._ to pick up your crums, sir: you'r heartily welcome. scaramouche _gets upon_ harlequin, _and salutes him_. _gi._ i have lain now within the _stygian_ lake years. _scar._ your honour is not much shrunk in the wetting. _gi._ but we loose time, and dinner cools. _har._ where is it? _gi._ in the next room. _scar._ will it please your lustiness to lead the way? _har._ will it please you then to make way for him? _gi._ i can divide my self to serve my friends? [_giant leaps in two._ breeches be you my page, and follow me. harleq. _and_ scaram. _complement the breeches_. [_exeunt._ scene _draws, and discovers a table furnished with bottles of wine, and a venison pasty, a pot of wild fowl_, &c. _enter_ scaramouche, giant, _and_ harlequin. _har._ o heavenly apparition! _scar._ come, let's sit down. _the upper part of the giant flies up, and the under sinks, and discovers a woman in the room._ harlequin _and_ scaramouche _start_. _scar._ ha! what's here, a woman? _har._ o happy change! madam, with your good leave. [_kisses._ _scar._ never too late in good breeding. [_kisses._] rare wench! and as luscious as pig-sauce. _har._ heav'n be prais'd for all. [_woman sinks, a flash of lightning._ _scar._ your unseasonable thankfulness has rob'd us of our strumpet. _har._ no matter, no matter; we shall meet her in the cloisters after the fair. come let's fall too. [_they put their caps before their faces._ ha! _scar._ the table runs away from us. _har._ we'll bestow the pains to follow it again; this i see is a running banquet. [_they put their caps on again, the table removes._ _scar._ i have found the secret: we must not say grace at the devil's feast. _har._ come then let's fall too, _san's_ ceremony; will you be carver? _scar._ every one for himself, i say. _har._ ay, every one for himself, and god for us all. [_table flies up into the air._ _scar._ a plague o'your proverb; it has a word in't must not be named. _har._ ah, mr. doctor, do but intreat mr. _mephostopholis_ to let the table down to us, or send us to that, and i'll be his servant as long as i live. [_they are hoisted up to the table._ _scar. and har._ oh, oh, oh. _scar._ now have a care of another proverb: we go without our supper. _har._ nay, now i know the devil's humour, i'll hit him to a hair: pray, mr. doctor, cut up that pasty. _scar._ i can't get my knife into it, 'tis over-bak'd. _har._ ay, 'tis often so: god sends meat, and the devil sends cooks. [_table flies down._ _scar._ thou varlet, dost thou see what thy proverb has done? _har._ now could i curse my grand-mother, for she taught 'em me: well, if sweet _mephostopholis_ will be so kind as but to let us and the table come together again, i'll promise never to say grace, or speak proverb more, as long as i live. [_they are let down to the table._ _scar._ your prayers are heard, now be careful; for if i lose my supper by thy negligence i'll cut thy throat. _har._ do, and eat me when you have done. i am damnably hungry; i'll cut open this pasty, while you open that pot of wild fowl. [harlequin _takes off the lid of the pasty, and a stag's head peeps out; and out of the pot of fowl flies birds_. harlequin _and_ scaramouche _start back, fall over their chairs, and get up_. _har._ here's the nest but the birds are flown: here's wine though, and now i'll conjure for a supper. i have a sallad within of my own gathering in the fields to day. _scar._ fetch it in; bread, wine, and a salad may serve for a collation. _enter_ harlequin _with a tray of sallad_. _har._ come, no ceremony among friends. _bon. fro._ _scar._ _sallad mal adjuste_; here's neither fat nor lean. _har._ o mr. doctor, neither fat nor lean in a sallad. _scar._ neither oyl, nor vinegar. _har._ oh! i'll fetch you that presently. [harlequin _fetches a chamber-pot of piss, and a lamp of oyl, and pours on the sallad_. _scar._ o thy sallad is nothing but thistles and netles; and thy oyl stinks worse than _arsefetito_. _har._ bread and wine be our fare. ha! the bread's alive. [_bread stirs._ _scar._ or the devil's in't. hey! again. [_bread sinks._ _har._ my belly's as empty as a beggar's purse. _scar._ and mine as full of wind as a trumpeter's cheeks. [_table sinks, and flash of lightning._ but since we can't eat, let's drink: come, here's dr. _faustus_'s health. _har._ ay, come; god bless dr. _faustus_. [_bottles fly up, and the table sinks._ _scar._ what all gone: here's a banquet stole away like a city feast. [_musick._ _har._ ha! here's musick to delight us. [_two chairs rises._ harlequin _and_ scaramouche _sits down, and are caught fast_. _scar._ ha! the devil. we are lock'd in. _har._ as fast as a counter rat. _enter several devils, who black_ harlequin _and_ scaramouche's _faces, and then squirt milk upon them_. _after the dance they both sink._ _scar. and har._ o' o, o'---- _the end of the second act._ act iii. scene _a wood_. mephostopholis _and dr._ faustus. _faust._ how have i been delighted by thy art; and in twelve years have seen the utmost limits of the spacious world; feasted my self with all varieties; pleasur'd my fancy with my magick art, and liv'd sole lord o'er every thing i wish'd for. _meph._ ay, _faustus_, is it not a splendid life? _faust._ it is my spirit; but prithee now retire, while i repose my self within this shade, and when i wake attend on me again. _meph._ _faust_, i will. [_exit._ _faust._ what art thou, _faustus_, but a man condemn'd. thy lease of years expire apace; and, _faustus_, then thou must be _lucifers_: here rest my soul, and in my sleep my future state be buried. _good and bad angel descends._ _good an._ _faustus_, sweet _faustus_, yet remember heav'n. oh! think upon the everlasting pain thou must endure, for all thy short space of pleasure. _bad an._ illusions, fancies, _faustus_; think of earth. the kings thou shalt command: the pleasures rule. be, _faustus_, not a whining, pious fool. [_ascend._ _enter_ horse-courser. _hors._ oh! what a couz'ning doctor was this: i riding my horse into the water, thinking some hidden mystery had been in 'em, found my self on a bundle of straw, and was drag'd by something in the water, like a bailiff through a horse-pond. ha! he's a sleep: so ho, mr. doctor, so ho. why doctor, you couz'ning, wheedling, hypocritical, cheating, chousing, son of a whore; awake, rise, and give me my mony again, for your horse is turn'd into a bottle of hay. why sirrah, doctor; 'sfoot i think he's dead. way doctor scab; you mangy dog. [_pulls him by the leg._ 'zounds i'm undone, i have pull'd his leg off. _faust._ o help! the villain has undone me; murder. _hors._ murder, or not murder, now he has but one leg i'll out-run him. [_exit._ _faust._ stop, stop him; ha, ha, ha, _faustus_ has his leg again, and the horse-courser a bundle of hay for his forty dollars. come, _mephostopholis_, let's now attend the emperor. [_exit_ faust. _and_ meph. _enter_ horse-courser, _and_ carter, _with pots of ale_. _cart._ here's to thee; and now i'll tell thee what i came hither for: you have heard of a conjurer they call doctor _faustus_. _hors._ heard of him, a plague take him, i have cause to know him; has he play'd any pranks with you? _cart._ i'll tell thee, as i was going to the market a while ago, with a load of hay, he met me, and askt me, what he should give me for as much hay as his horse would eat: now, sir, i thinking that a little would serve his turn, bad him take as much as he would for three farthings. _hors._ so. _cart._ so he presently gave me mony, and fell to eating: and as i'm a cursen man, he never left yeating and yeating, 'till he had eaten up my whole load of hay. _hors._ now you shall hear how he serv'd me: i went to him yesterday to buy a horse of him, which i did; and he had me be sure not to ride him into the water. _cart._ good. _hors._ ad's wounds 'twas bad, as you shall hear: for i thinking the horse had some rare quality, that he would not have me know, what do me i but rides him in the water; and when i came just in the midst of the river, i found my self a straddle on a bottle of hay. _cart._ o rare doctor! _hors._ but you shall hear how i serv'd him bravely for it; for finding him a sleep just now in a by-field, i whoop'd and hollow'd in his ears, but could not wake him; so i took hold of his leg, and never left pulling till i had pull'd it quite off. _cart._ and has the doctor but one leg then? that's rare. but come, this is his house, let's in and see for our mony; look you, we'll pay as we come back. _hors._ done, done; and when we have got our mony let's laugh at his one leg: ha, ha, ha. [_exeunt laughing._ _enter_ hostess. _host._ what have the rogues left my pots, and run away, without paying their reck'ning? i'll after 'em, cheating villains, rogues, cut-purses; rob a poor woman, cheat the spittle, and rob the king of his excise; a parcel of rustick, clownish, pedantical, high-shoo'd, plow-jobbing, cart-driving, pinch-back'd, paralytick, fumbling, grumbling, bellowing, yellowing, peas-picking, stinking, mangy, runagate, ill-begotten, ill-contriv'd, wry-mouth'd, spatrifying, dunghill-raking, costive, snorting, sweaty, farting, whaw-drover dogs. [_exit_ _enter_ faustus. _faust._ my time draws near, and years are past: i have but four poor twelve months for my life, and then i am damn'd for ever. _enter an_ old man. _old m._ o gentle _faustus_, leave this damn'd art; this magick, that will charm thy soul to hell, and quite bereave thee of salvation: though thou hast now offended like a man, do not, oh! do not persist in't like a devil. it may be this my exhortation seems harsh, and all unpleasant; let it not, for, gentle son, i speak in tender love and pity of thy future misery; and so have hope that this my kind rebuke, checking thy body, may preserve thy soul. _faust._ where art thou, _faustus_? wretch, what hast thou done? o friend, i feel thy words to comfort my distressed soul; retire, and let me ponder on my sins. _old m._ _faustus_, i leave thee, but with grief of heart, fearing thy enemy will near depart. [_exit._ _enter_ mephostopholis. _meph._ thou traytor, i arrest thee for disobedience to thy sovereign lord; revolt, or i'll in piece-meal tear thy flesh. _faust._ i do repent i e'er offended him; torment, sweet friend, that old man that durst disswade me from thy _lucifer_. _meph._ his faith is great, i cannot touch his soul; but what i can afflict his body with i will. _enter_ horse-courser _and_ carter. _hors._ we are come to drink a health to your wooden leg. _faust._ my wooden leg; what dost thou mean, friend? _hors._ ha, ha! he has forgot his leg. _cart._ psha, 'tis not a leg he stands upon. pray, let me ask you one question; are both your legs bed-fellows? _faust._ why dost thou ask? _cart._ because i believe you have a good companion of one. _hors._ why, don't you remember i pull'd off one o' your legs when you were a sleep? _faust._ but i have it again now i am awake. _cart._ ad's wounds, had the doctor three legs!----you, sir, don't you remember you gave a peny for as much hay as your horse would eat, and then eat up my whole load. _hors._ look you, mr. doctor, you must not carry it off so; i come to have the mony again i gave for the ho-o-o- [faustus _waves his wand_. _cart._ and i come to be paid far my load of ha-a-a. _enter_ hostess. _host._ o mr. doctor! do you harbour rogues that bilk poor folks, and wont pay their reck'nings? who must pay me for my a-a-a-a [_waves again._ _enter_ scaramouche. _scar._ mr. doctor, i can't be quiet for your devil mr. _me-o-o--_ [_waves again._ [_exeunt_ faustus _and_ mephostopholis. _they all stare at one another, and so go off, crying o, o, o, o- to the emperor's pallace._ _enter emperor_, faustus, _gent. guards._ benoolio _above_. _emp._ wonder of men, thrice learned _faustus_, renowned magician, welcome to our court; and as thou late didst promise us, i would behold the famous _alexander_ fighting with his great rival _darius_, in their true shapes, and state majestical. _faust._ your majesty shall see 'em presently. _ben._ if thou bring'st _alexander_, or _darius_ here, i'll be content to be _actæon_, and turn my self to a stag. _faust._ and i'll play _diana_, and send you the horns presently. _enter_ darius _and_ alexander; _they fight_: darius _falls_. alexander _takes his crown, and puts it on his head_. [_exit._ darius _sinks_. _faust._ away, be gon; see, my gracious lord, what beast is that that thrusts his head out of yon' window. _emp._ o wondrous sight! see two horns on young _benoolio_'s head; call him, lords. _lord._ what, ho! _benoolio_. _ben._ a plague upon you, let me sleep. _lord._ look up, _benoolio_, 'tis the emperor calls. _ben._ the emperor; o my head. _faust._ and thy horns hold, 'tis no matter for thy head. _ben._ doctor, this is your villany. _faust._ o say not so, sir; the doctor has no skill, if he bring _alexander_ or _darius_ here you'll be _actæon_, and turn to a stag: therefore, if it please your majesty, i'll bring a kennel of hounds to hunt him. ho! _helmot_, _argiron_, _asterot_. _ben._ hold, he'll raise a kennel of devils. good, my lord, intreat. _emp._ prithee remove his horns, he has done penance enough. _faust._ away; and remember hereafter you speak well of scholars. _ben._ if scholars be such cuckolds to put horns upon honest mens heads, i'll ne'er trust smooth-face and small-band more: but if i been't reveng'd, may i be turn'd to a gaping oyster, and drink nothing but salt-water. _emp._ come, _faustus_, in recompence of this high desert, thou shalt command the state of _germany_, and live belov'd of mighty _carolus_. [_exeunt omnes._ scene _a garden_. _lord._ nay, sweet _benoolio_, let us sway thy thoughts from this attempt against the conjurer. _ben._ my head is lighter than it was by the horns: and yet my heart's more pond'rous than my head, and pants, until i see the conjurer dead. _ lord._ consider. _ben._ away; disswade me not, he comes. [_draws._ _enter_ faustus _with a false head_. now sword strike home: for horns he gave, i'll have his head anon. _runs_ faustus _through, he falls_. _faust._ oh, oh. _ben._ groan you, mr. doctor, now for his head. [_cuts his head off._ _lord._ struck with a willing hand. _ben._ first, on this scull, in quittance of my wrongs, i'll nail huge forked horns within the window where he yoak'd me first, that all the world may see my just revenge; and thus having settled his head---- _faust._ what shall the body do, gentlemen. _ben._ the devil's alive again? _lord._ give the devil his head again. _faust._ nay, keep it; _faustus_ will have heads and hands; i call your hearts to recompence this deed. ho; _asteroth_, _belincoth_, _mephostopholis_. _enter devils, and horse 'em upon others._ go horse these traytors on your fiery backs. drag 'em through dirt and mud, through thorns and briers. _lord._ pity us, gentle _faustus_, save our lives. _faust._ away. _ben._ he must needs go whom the devil drives. [_spirits fly away._ _exit_ faustus. scene _a hall_. _enter_ harlequin _in a beggar's habit_. _harl._ i find this _scaramouche_ is a villain; he has left the doctor, and is come to be steward to a rich widdow, whose husband dyed yesterday, and here he is coming to give the poor their doles, of which i'll ha' my share. scaramouche, _and poor people, with a basket of bread and money_. _scar._ come hither, poor devils; stand in order, and be damn'd. i came to distribute what your deceased good master hath bequeath'd. [_they all stare at_ scar. _harl._ god bless you, mr. steward. _scar._ let me tell you, gentlemen, he was as good a man as ever piss'd, or cry'd stand on the high-way. [scaramouche _takes out a leaf and a shilling, holds it out, and_ harlequin _takes it_. he spent a good estate, 'tis true; but he was no body's foe but his own. i never left him while he was worth a groat. [_again._] he would now and then curse in his passion, and give a soul to the devil, or so; yet, what of that? he always paid his club, and no man can say he owes this. [_again._] he had a colt's tooth, and over-laid one of his maids; yet, what of that? all flesh is frail. [_again._] 'tis thought that her body workt him off on his legs; why, what of that? his legs were his own, and his arse never hung in your light. [_again._] sometimes, you'll say, he wou'd rap out an oath; what then, words are but wind, and he meant no more harm than a sucking pig does by squeaking. [_again._] now let's consider his good deeds; he brew'd a firkin of strong drink for the poor every year, and kill'd an old ram every _easter_: the meat that was stale, and his drink that was sowre, was always yours. [_again._] he allow'd you in harvest to glean after his rake. [_again._] and now, at his death, has given you all this. [_again._ _scar._ so, setting the hare's head against the goose giblets, he was a good hospitable man; and much good may do you with what you had. _poor._ i have had nothing. _ poor._ nor i. _ po._ nor i. _ po._ nor. i. _scar._ nothing. _all._ nothing, nothing. _scar._ nothing, nothing; you lying rogues, then there's something for you. [_beats 'em all off._ _enter_ harlequin _in a cloak, laughing_. _har._ so now i am victual'd, i may hold out siege against hunger. [_a noise within; this way, this way._ ha! they are hunting after me, and will kill me. let me see, i will take this gibbet for my preserver, and with this long cloak make as if i were hang'd. now when they find a man hang'd, not knowing me in this disguise, they'll look no farther after me, but think the thief's hang'd.----i hear 'em coming. [_throws himself off the ladder._ _enter_ scaramouche. _scar._ ha! what's here, a man hang'd? but what paper is this in his hand? [_whil'st_ scaramouche _reads_, harlequin _puts the rope over him_. i have cheated the poor of their mony, and took the bread out of their mouths, for which i was much troubled in conscience, fell into dispair, and, as you see, hang'd my self. [_pulls him up, and runs out_ o the devil! murder, murder! _enter_ poor. _poor._ o neighbours, here hangs the rogue. _scar._ help me down? _poor._ no, you are very well as you are. _scar._ don't you know me? _poor._ ay, for a rogue; e'en finish your work, and save the hang-man a labour. yet, now i think on't, self-murder is a crying sin, and may damn his soul. come, neighbours, we'll take him down, and have him hang'd according to law. [_when he's down he trips up their heels, and runs out, they after him._ _all._ stop thief, stop thief. _thunder and lightning_; lucifer, beelzebub, _and_ mephostopholis. _luc._ thus from the infernal _dis_ do we ascend, bringing with us the deed; the time is come which makes it forfeit. _enter_ faustus, _an old man, and a scholar_. _old m._ yet, _faustus_, call on heav'n. _faust._ oh! 'tis too late; behold, they lock my hands. _old m._ who, _faustus_? _faust._ _lucifer_ and _mephostopholis_; i gave 'em my soul for four and twenty years. _old m._ heav'n forbid. _fau._ ay, heav'n forbad it indeed, but _faustus_ has done it; for the vain pleasure of four and twenty years, _faustus_ has lost eternal joy and felicity: i writ 'em a bill with my own blood, the date is expired; this is the time, and they are come to fetch me. _old m._ why would not _faustus_ tell me of that before? _faust._ i oft intended it, but the devil threat'ned to tear me in pieces. o friend, retire, and save your self. _old m._ i'll into the next room, and there pray for thee. _faust._ ay, pray for me; and what noise soever you hear stir not, for nothing can rescue me. _old m._ pray thou, and i'll pray. adieu. _faust._ if i live till morning i'll visit you; if not, _faustus_ is gon to hell. [_exeunt old man and scholar._ _meph._ ay, _faustus_, now thou hast no hopes on heav'n. _faust._ o thou bewitching fiend; 'twas thou, and thy temptations, hath rob'd me of eternal happiness. _meph._ i do confess it, _faustus_, and rejoyce. what weep'st thou, 'tis too late; hark to thy knell: fools that will laugh on earth, must weep in hell. _ext._ _good and bad angel descend._ _good an._ o _faustus_, if thou hadst given ear to me, innumerable joys had followed thee: but thou didst love the world. _bad an._ gave ear to me, and now must taste hell's pains perpetual. _throne of heaven appears._ _good an._ had'st thou affected sweet divinity, hell, nor the devil, had no power on thee. had'st thou kept on that way, _faustus_, behold in what resplendid glory thou had'st sat; that hast thou lost. and now, poor soul, must thy good angel leave: the jaws of hell are ready to receive thee. [_ascends._ _hell is discovered._ _bad an._ now, _faustus_, let thy eyes with horror stare into that vast perpetual torturing house. _faust._ o i have seen enough to torture me. _bad an._ nay thou must feel 'em, 'taste the smart of all. he that loves pleasure must for pleasure fall: and so i leave thee, _faustus_, till anon. thou'lt tumble into confusion. [_descends._ _the clock strikes eleven._ _faust._ now, _faustus_, hast thou but one bear hour to live, and then thou must be damn'd perpetually: stand still you ever-moving spheres of heav'n, that time may cease, and mid-night never come. or let this hour be but a year, a month, a week, a natural day; that _faustus_ may repent, and save his soul. mountains and hills come, come, and fall on me, and hide me from the heavy wrath of heav'n. gape earth; oh no, it will not harbour me. [_the clock strikes._ oh! half the hour is past; 'twill all be past anon. oh! if my soul must suffer for my sin, impose some end to my incessant pain. let _faustus_ live in hell a thousand years, an hundred thousand, and at last be sav'd. [_strikes twelve._ no end is limitted to damn'd souls: it strikes, it strikes. now, body, turn to air, to earth, or water. oh! avoid the fire: they come. oh! mercy, heaven; ugly hell gape not. come not _lucifer_; o _mephostopholis_. [_sink with devils. thunder._ _enter old man and scholar._ _old m._ come, friend, let's visit _faustus_: for such a dreadful night was never seen. _scene discovers_ faustus's _limbs_. _schol._ o help us, heav'n; see here are _faustus_'s limbs, all torn asunder by the hand of hell. _old m._ may this a fair example be to all, to avoid such ways which brought poor _faustus_'s fall. and whatsoever pleasure does invite, sell not your souls to purchase vain delight. [_exeunt._ _scene changes to hell._ faustus _limbs come together_. _a dance, and song._ _finis._ william andrews clark memorial library university of california, los angeles the augustan reprint society publications in print the augustan reprint society publications in print = - = . henry nevil payne, _the fatal jealousie_ ( ). . nicholas rowe, _some account of the life of mr. william shakespear_ ( ). . anonymous, "of genius," in _the occasional paper_, vol. iii, no. ( ), and aaron hill, preface to _the creation_ ( ). = - = . susanna centlivre, _the busie body_ ( ). . lewis theobald, _preface to the works of shakespeare_ ( ). . samuel johnson, _the vanity of human wishes_ ( ), and two _rambler_ papers ( ). . john dryden, _his majesties declaration defended_ ( ). = - = . charles macklin, _the man of the world_ ( ). . thomas gray, _an elegy wrote in a country churchyard_ ( ), and _the eton college manuscript_. = - = . bernard mandeville, _a letter to dion_ ( ). = - = . selected hymns taken out of mr. herbert's _temple_ ... ( ). = - = . sir william temple, _an essay upon the original and nature of government_ ( ). . john tutchin, _selected poems_ ( - ). . anonymous, _political justice_ ( ). . robert dodsley, _an essay on fable_ ( ). . t. r., _an essay concerning critical and curious learning_ ( ). . two poems against pope: leonard welsted, _one epistle to mr. a. pope_ ( ), and anonymous, _the blatant beast_ ( ). = - = . daniel defoe and others, _accounts of the apparition of mrs. veal_. . charles macklin, _the covent garden theatre_ ( ). . sir roger l'estrange, _citt and bumpkin_ ( ). . henry more, _enthusiasmus triumphatus_ ( ). . thomas traherne, _meditations on the six days of the creation_ ( ). . bernard mandeville, _aesop dress'd or a collection of fables_ ( ). = - = . edmond malone, _cursory observations on the poems attributed to mr. thomas rowley_ ( ). . anonymous, _the female wits_ ( ). . anonymous, _the scribleriad_ ( ). lord hervey, _the difference between verbal and practical virtue_ ( ). = - = . lawrence echard, prefaces to _terence's comedies_ ( ) and _plautus's comedies_ ( ). = - = . john courtenay, _a poetical review of the literary and moral character of the late samuel johnson_ ( ). . john downes, _roscius anglicanus_ ( ). . sir john hill, _hypochondriasis, a practical treatise_ ( ). . thomas sheridan, _discourse ... being introductory to his course of lectures on elocution and the english language_ ( ). . arthur murphy, _the englishman from paris_ ( ). = - = . [catherine trotter], _olinda's adventures_ ( ). . john ogilvie, _an essay on the lyric poetry of the ancients_ ( ). . _a learned dissertation on dumpling_ ( ) and _pudding burnt to pot or a compleat key to the dissertation on dumpling_ ( ). . selections from sir roger l'estrange's _observator_ ( - ). . anthony collins, _a discourse concerning ridicule and irony in writing_ ( ). . _a letter from a clergyman to his friend, with an account of the travels of captain lemuel gulliver_ ( ). . _the art of architecture, a poem. in imitation of horace's art of poetry_ ( ). = - = - . thomas shelton, _a tutor to tachygraphy, or short-writing_ ( ) and _tachygraphy_ ( ). - . _deformities of dr. samuel johnson_ ( ). . _poeta de tristibus: or the poet's complaint_ ( ). . gerard langbaine, _momus triumphans: or the plagiaries of the english stage_ ( ). = - = - . evan lloyd, _the methodist_. a poem ( ). . _are these things so?_ ( ), and _the great man's answer to are these things so?_ ( ). . arbuthnotiana: _the story of the st. alb-ns ghost_ ( ), and _a catalogue of dr. arbuthnot's library_ ( ). - . a selection of emblems from herman hugo's _pia desideria_ ( ), with english adaptations by francis quarles and edmund arwaker. the augustan reprint society william andrews clark memorial library university of california, los angeles cimarron street (at west adams), los angeles, california publications of the first fifteen years of the society (numbers - ) are available in paperbound units of six issues at $ . per unit, from the kraus reprint company, east th street, new york, n.y. . publications in print are available at the regular membership rate of $ . for individuals and $ . for institutions per year. prices of single issues may be obtained upon request. subsequent publications may be checked in the annual prospectus. _make check or money order payable to_ the regents of the university of california tamburlaine the great--the second part by christopher marlowe edited by the rev. alexander dyce comments on the preparation of the e-text: square brackets: the square brackets, i.e. [ ] are copied from the printed book, without change, except that the stage directions usually do not have closing brackets. these have been added. endtnotes: for this e-text version of the book, the footnotes have been consolidated at the end of the play. numbering of the footnotes has been changed, and each footnote is given a unique identity in the form [xxx]. one aditional footnote [a] has been inserted. many of the footnotes refer back to notes to "the first part of tamburlaine the great." these references have been copied and inserted into the notes to this play. changes to the text: character names were expanded. for example, tamburlaine was tamb., zenocrate was zeno., etc. the second part of tamburlaine the great. concerning the old eds., see the prefatory matter to the first part.[a] the prologue. the general welcomes tamburlaine receiv'd, when he arrived last upon the [ ] stage, have made our poet pen his second part, where death cuts off the progress of his pomp, and murderous fates throw all his triumphs [ ] down. but what became of fair zenocrate, and with how many cities' sacrifice he celebrated her sad [ ] funeral, himself in presence shall unfold at large. dramatis personae. tamburlaine, king of persia. calyphas, ] amyras, ] his sons. celebinus, ] theridamas, king of argier. techelles, king of fez. usumcasane, king of morocco. orcanes, king of natolia. king of trebizon. king of soria. king of jerusalem. king of amasia. gazellus, viceroy of byron. uribassa. sigismund, king of hungary. frederick, ] baldwin, ] lords of buda and bohemia. callapine, son to bajazeth, and prisoner to tamburlaine. almeda, his keeper. governor of babylon. captain of balsera. his son. another captain. maximus, perdicas, physicians, lords, citizens, messengers, soldiers, and attendants. zenocrate, wife to tamburlaine. olympia, wife to the captain of balsera. turkish concubines. the second part of tamburlaine the great. act i. scene i. enter orcanes king of natolia, gazellus viceroy of byron, uribassa, [ ] and their train, with drums and trumpets. orcanes. egregious viceroys of these eastern parts, plac'd by the issue of great bajazeth, and sacred lord, the mighty callapine, who lives in egypt prisoner to that slave which kept his father in an iron cage,-- now have we march'd from fair natolia two hundred leagues, and on danubius' banks our warlike host, in complete armour, rest, where sigismund, the king of hungary, should meet our person to conclude a truce: what! shall we parle with the christian? or cross the stream, and meet him in the field? gazellus. king of natolia, let us treat of peace: we all are glutted with the christians' blood, and have a greater foe to fight against,-- proud tamburlaine, that now in asia, near guyron's head, doth set his conquering feet, and means to fire turkey as he goes: 'gainst him, my lord, you must address your power. uribassa. besides, king sigismund hath brought from christendom more than his camp of stout hungarians,-- sclavonians, almains, rutters, [ ] muffs, and danes, that with the halberd, lance, and murdering axe, will hazard that we might with surety hold. orcanes. [ ] though from the shortest northern parallel, vast grantland, compass'd with the frozen sea, (inhabited with tall and sturdy men, giants as big as hugy [ ] polypheme,) millions of soldiers cut the [ ] arctic line, bringing the strength of europe to these arms, our turkey blades shall glide through all their throats, and make this champion [ ] mead a bloody fen: danubius' stream, that runs to trebizon, shall carry, wrapt within his scarlet waves, as martial presents to our friends at home, the slaughter'd bodies of these christians: the terrene [ ] main, wherein danubius falls, shall by this battle be the bloody sea: the wandering sailors of proud italy shall meet those christians, fleeting with the tide, beating in heaps against their argosies, and make fair europe, mounted on her bull, trapp'd with the wealth and riches of the world, alight, and wear a woful mourning weed. gazellus. yet, stout orcanes, pro-rex of the world, since tamburlaine hath muster'd all his men, marching from cairo [ ] northward, with his camp, to alexandria and the frontier towns, meaning to make a conquest of our land, 'tis requisite to parle for a peace with sigismund, the king of hungary, and save our forces for the hot assaults proud tamburlaine intends natolia. orcanes. viceroy of byron, wisely hast thou said. my realm, the centre of our empery, once lost, all turkey would be overthrown; and for that cause the christians shall have peace. sclavonians, almains, rutters, muffs, and danes, fear [ ] not orcanes, but great tamburlaine; nor he, but fortune that hath made him great. we have revolted grecians, albanese, sicilians, jews, arabians, turks, and moors, natolians, sorians, [ ] black [ ] egyptians, illyrians, thracians, and bithynians, [ ] enough to swallow forceless sigismund, yet scarce enough t' encounter tamburlaine. he brings a world of people to the field, ]from scythia to the oriental plage [ ] of india, where raging lantchidol beats on the regions with his boisterous blows, that never seaman yet discovered. all asia is in arms with tamburlaine, even from the midst of fiery cancer's tropic to amazonia under capricorn; and thence, as far as archipelago, all afric is in arms with tamburlaine: therefore, viceroy, [ ] the christians must have peace. enter sigismund, frederick, baldwin, and their train, with drums and trumpets. sigismund. orcanes, (as our legates promis'd thee,) we, with our peers, have cross'd danubius' stream, to treat of friendly peace or deadly war. take which thou wilt; for, as the romans us'd, i here present thee with a naked sword: wilt thou have war, then shake this blade at me; if peace, restore it to my hands again, and i will sheathe it, to confirm the same. orcanes. stay, sigismund: forgett'st thou i am he that with the cannon shook vienna-walls, and made it dance upon the continent, as when the massy substance of the earth quiver[s] about the axle-tree of heaven? forgett'st thou that i sent a shower of darts, mingled with powder'd shot and feather'd steel, so thick upon the blink-ey'd burghers' heads, that thou thyself, then county palatine, the king of boheme, [ ] and the austric duke, sent heralds out, which basely on their knees, in all your names, desir'd a truce of me? forgett'st thou that, to have me raise my siege, waggons of gold were set before my tent, stampt with the princely fowl that in her wings carries the fearful thunderbolts of jove? how canst thou think of this, and offer war? sigismund. vienna was besieg'd, and i was there, then county palatine, but now a king, and what we did was in extremity but now, orcanes, view my royal host, that hides these plains, and seems as vast and wide as doth the desert of arabia to those that stand on bagdet's [ ] lofty tower, or as the ocean to the traveller that rests upon the snowy appenines; and tell me whether i should stoop so low, or treat of peace with the natolian king. gazellus. kings of natolia and of hungary, we came from turkey to confirm a league, and not to dare each other to the field. a friendly parle [ ] might become you both. frederick. and we from europe, to the same intent; [ ] which if your general refuse or scorn, our tents are pitch'd, our men stand [ ] in array, ready to charge you ere you stir your feet. orcanes. so prest [ ] are we: but yet, if sigismund speak as a friend, and stand not upon terms, here is his sword; let peace be ratified on these conditions specified before, drawn with advice of our ambassadors. sigismund. then here i sheathe it, and give thee my hand, never to draw it out, or [ ] manage arms against thyself or thy confederates, but, whilst i live, will be at truce with thee. orcanes. but, sigismund, confirm it with an oath, and swear in sight of heaven and by thy christ. sigismund. by him that made the world and sav'd my soul, the son of god and issue of a maid, sweet jesus christ, i solemnly protest and vow to keep this peace inviolable! orcanes. by sacred mahomet, the friend of god, whose holy alcoran remains with us, whose glorious body, when he left the world, clos'd in a coffin mounted up the air, and hung on stately mecca's temple-roof, i swear to keep this truce inviolable! of whose conditions [ ] and our solemn oaths, sign'd with our hands, each shall retain a scroll, as memorable witness of our league. now, sigismund, if any christian king encroach upon the confines of thy realm, send word, orcanes of natolia confirm'd [ ] this league beyond danubius' stream, and they will, trembling, sound a quick retreat; so am i fear'd among all nations. sigismund. if any heathen potentate or king invade natolia, sigismund will send a hundred thousand horse train'd to the war, and back'd by [ ] stout lanciers of germany, the strength and sinews of the imperial seat. orcanes. i thank thee, sigismund; but, when i war, all asia minor, africa, and greece, follow my standard and my thundering drums. come, let us go and banquet in our tents: i will despatch chief of my army hence to fair natolia and to trebizon, to stay my coming 'gainst proud tamburlaine: friend sigismund, and peers of hungary, come, banquet and carouse with us a while, and then depart we to our territories. [exeunt.] scene ii. enter callapine, and almeda his keeper. callapine. sweet almeda, pity the ruthful plight of callapine, the son of bajazeth, born to be monarch of the western world, yet here detain'd by cruel tamburlaine. almeda. my lord, i pity it, and with my heart wish your release; but he whose wrath is death, my sovereign lord, renowmed [ ] tamburlaine, forbids you further liberty than this. callapine. ah, were i now but half so eloquent to paint in words what i'll perform in deeds, i know thou wouldst depart from hence with me! almeda. not for all afric: therefore move me not. callapine. yet hear me speak, my gentle almeda. almeda. no speech to that end, by your favour, sir. callapine. by cairo [ ] runs-- almeda. no talk of running, i tell you, sir. callapine. a little further, gentle almeda. almeda. well, sir, what of this? callapine. by cairo runs to alexandria-bay darotes' stream, [ ] wherein at [ ] anchor lies a turkish galley of my royal fleet, waiting my coming to the river-side, hoping by some means i shall be releas'd; which, when i come aboard, will hoist up sail, and soon put forth into the terrene [ ] sea, where, [ ] 'twixt the isles of cyprus and of crete, we quickly may in turkish seas arrive. then shalt thou see a hundred kings and more, upon their knees, all bid me welcome home. amongst so many crowns of burnish'd gold, choose which thou wilt, all are at thy command: a thousand galleys, mann'd with christian slaves, i freely give thee, which shall cut the straits, and bring armadoes, from [ ] the coasts of spain, fraughted with gold of rich america: the grecian virgins shall attend on thee, skilful in music and in amorous lays, as fair as was pygmalion's ivory girl or lovely io metamorphosed: with naked negroes shall thy coach be drawn, and, as thou rid'st in triumph through the streets, the pavement underneath thy chariot-wheels with turkey-carpets shall be covered, and cloth of arras hung about the walls, fit objects for thy princely eye to pierce: a hundred bassoes, cloth'd in crimson silk, shall ride before thee on barbarian steeds; and, when thou goest, a golden canopy enchas'd with precious stones, which shine as bright as that fair veil that covers all the world, when phoebus, leaping from his hemisphere, descendeth downward to th' antipodes:-- and more than this, for all i cannot tell. almeda. how far hence lies the galley, say you? callapine. sweet almeda, scarce half a league from hence. almeda. but need [ ] we not be spied going aboard? callapine. betwixt the hollow hanging of a hill, and crooked bending of a craggy rock, the sails wrapt up, the mast and tacklings down, she lies so close that none can find her out. almeda. i like that well: but, tell me, my lord, if i should let you go, would you be as good as your word? shall i be made a king for my labour? callapine. as i am callapine the emperor, and by the hand of mahomet i swear, thou shalt be crown'd a king, and be my mate! almeda. then here i swear, as i am almeda, your keeper under tamburlaine the great, (for that's the style and title i have yet,) although he sent a thousand armed men to intercept this haughty enterprize, yet would i venture to conduct your grace, and die before i brought you back again! callapine. thanks, gentle almeda: then let us haste, lest time be past, and lingering let [ ] us both. almeda. when you will, my lord: i am ready. callapine. even straight:--and farewell, cursed tamburlaine! now go i to revenge my father's death. [exeunt.] scene iii. enter tamburlaine, zenocrate, and their three sons, calyphas, amyras, and celebinus, with drums and trumpets. tamburlaine. now, bright zenocrate, the world's fair eye, whose beams illuminate the lamps of heaven, whose cheerful looks do clear the cloudy air, and clothe it in a crystal livery, now rest thee here on fair larissa-plains, where egypt and the turkish empire part between thy sons, that shall be emperors, and every one commander of a world. zenocrate. sweet tamburlaine, when wilt thou leave these arms, and save thy sacred person free from scathe, and dangerous chances of the wrathful war? tamburlaine. when heaven shall cease to move on both the poles, and when the ground, whereon my soldiers march, shall rise aloft and touch the horned moon; and not before, my sweet zenocrate. sit up, and rest thee like a lovely queen. so; now she sits in pomp and majesty, when these, my sons, more precious in mine eyes than all the wealthy kingdoms i subdu'd, plac'd by her side, look on their mother's face. but yet methinks their looks are amorous, not martial as the sons of tamburlaine: water and air, being symboliz'd in one, argue their want of courage and of wit; their hair as white as milk, and soft as down, (which should be like the quills of porcupines, as black as jet, and hard as iron or steel,) bewrays they are too dainty for the wars; their fingers made to quaver on a lute, their arms to hang about a lady's neck, their legs to dance and caper in the air, would make me think them bastards, not my sons, but that i know they issu'd from thy womb, that never look'd on man but tamburlaine. zenocrate. my gracious lord, they have their mother's looks, but, when they list, their conquering father's heart. this lovely boy, the youngest of the three, not long ago bestrid a scythian steed, trotting the ring, and tilting at a glove, which when he tainted [ ] with his slender rod, he rein'd him straight, and made him so curvet as i cried out for fear he should have faln. tamburlaine. well done, my boy! thou shalt have shield and lance, armour of proof, horse, helm, and curtle-axe, and i will teach thee how to charge thy foe, and harmless run among the deadly pikes. if thou wilt love the wars and follow me, thou shalt be made a king and reign with me, keeping in iron cages emperors. if thou exceed thy elder brothers' worth, and shine in complete virtue more than they, thou shalt be king before them, and thy seed shall issue crowned from their mother's womb. celebinus. yes, father; you shall see me, if i live, have under me as many kings as you, and march with such a multitude of men as all the world shall [ ] tremble at their view. tamburlaine. these words assure me, boy, thou art my son. when i am old and cannot manage arms, be thou the scourge and terror of the world. amyras. why may not i, my lord, as well as he, be term'd the scourge and terror of [ ] the world? tamburlaine. be all a scourge and terror to [ ] the world, or else you are not sons of tamburlaine. calyphas. but, while my brothers follow arms, my lord, let me accompany my gracious mother: they are enough to conquer all the world, and you have won enough for me to keep. tamburlaine. bastardly boy, sprung [ ] from some coward's loins, and not the issue of great tamburlaine! of all the provinces i have subdu'd thou shalt not have a foot, unless thou bear a mind courageous and invincible; for he shall wear the crown of persia whose head hath deepest scars, whose breast most wounds, which, being wroth, sends lightning from his eyes, and in the furrows of his frowning brows harbours revenge, war, death, and cruelty; for in a field, whose superficies [ ] is cover'd with a liquid purple veil, and sprinkled with the brains of slaughter'd men, my royal chair of state shall be advanc'd; and he that means to place himself therein, must armed wade up to the chin in blood. zenocrate. my lord, such speeches to our princely sons dismay their minds before they come to prove the wounding troubles angry war affords. celebinus. no, madam, these are speeches fit for us; for, if his chair were in a sea of blood, i would prepare a ship and sail to it, ere i would lose the title of a king. amyras. and i would strive to swim through [ ] pools of blood, or make a bridge of murder'd carcasses, [ ] whose arches should be fram'd with bones of turks, ere i would lose the title of a king. tamburlaine. well, lovely boys, ye shall be emperors both, stretching your conquering arms from east to west:-- and, sirrah, if you mean to wear a crown, when we [ ] shall meet the turkish deputy and all his viceroys, snatch it from his head, and cleave his pericranion with thy sword. calyphas. if any man will hold him, i will strike, and cleave him to the channel [ ] with my sword. tamburlaine. hold him, and cleave him too, or i'll cleave thee; for we will march against them presently. theridamas, techelles, and casane promis'd to meet me on larissa-plains, with hosts a-piece against this turkish crew; for i have sworn by sacred mahomet to make it parcel of my empery. the trumpets sound; zenocrate, they come. enter theridamas, and his train, with drums and trumpets. welcome, theridamas, king of argier. theridamas. my lord, the great and mighty tamburlaine, arch-monarch of the world, i offer here my crown, myself, and all the power i have, in all affection at thy kingly feet. tamburlaine. thanks, good theridamas. theridamas. under my colours march ten thousand greeks, and of argier and afric's frontier towns twice twenty thousand valiant men-at-arms; all which have sworn to sack natolia. five hundred brigandines are under sail, meet for your service on the sea, my lord, that, launching from argier to tripoly, will quickly ride before natolia, and batter down the castles on the shore. tamburlaine. well said, argier! receive thy crown again. enter usumcasane and techelles. kings of morocco [ ] and of fez, welcome. usumcasane. magnificent and peerless tamburlaine, i and my neighbour king of fez have brought, to aid thee in this turkish expedition, a hundred thousand expert soldiers; ]from azamor to tunis near the sea is barbary unpeopled for thy sake, and all the men in armour under me, which with my crown i gladly offer thee. tamburlaine. thanks, king of morocco: take your crown again. techelles. and, mighty tamburlaine, our earthly god, whose looks make this inferior world to quake, i here present thee with the crown of fez, and with an host of moors train'd to the war, [ ] whose coal-black faces make their foes retire, and quake for fear, as if infernal [ ] jove, meaning to aid thee [ ] in these [ ] turkish arms, should pierce the black circumference of hell, with ugly furies bearing fiery flags, and millions of his strong [ ] tormenting spirits: ]from strong tesella unto biledull all barbary is unpeopled for thy sake. tamburlaine. thanks, king of fez: take here thy crown again. your presence, loving friends and fellow-kings, makes me to surfeit in conceiving joy: if all the crystal gates of jove's high court were open'd wide, and i might enter in to see the state and majesty of heaven, it could not more delight me than your sight. now will we banquet on these plains a while, and after march to turkey with our camp, in number more than are the drops that fall when boreas rents a thousand swelling clouds; and proud orcanes of natolia with all his viceroys shall be so afraid, that, though the stones, as at deucalion's flood, were turn'd to men, he should be overcome. such lavish will i make of turkish blood, that jove shall send his winged messenger to bid me sheathe my sword and leave the field; the sun, unable to sustain the sight, shall hide his head in thetis' watery lap, and leave his steeds to fair bootes' [ ] charge; for half the world shall perish in this fight. but now, my friends, let me examine ye; how have ye spent your absent time from me? usumcasane. my lord, our men of barbary have march'd four hundred miles with armour on their backs, and lain in leaguer [ ] fifteen months and more; for, since we left you at the soldan's court, we have subdu'd the southern guallatia, and all the land unto the coast of spain; we kept the narrow strait of jubalter, [ ] and made canaria call us kings and lords: yet never did they recreate themselves, or cease one day from war and hot alarms; and therefore let them rest a while, my lord. tamburlaine. they shall, casane, and 'tis time, i'faith. techelles. and i have march'd along the river nile to machda, where the mighty christian priest, call'd john the great, [ ] sits in a milk-white robe, whose triple mitre i did take by force, and made him swear obedience to my crown. ]from thence unto cazates did i march, where amazonians met me in the field, with whom, being women, i vouchsaf'd a league, and with my power did march to zanzibar, the western part of afric, where i view'd the ethiopian sea, rivers and lakes, but neither man nor child in all the land: therefore i took my course to manico, where, [ ] unresisted, i remov'd my camp; and, by the coast of byather, [ ] at last i came to cubar, where the negroes dwell, and, conquering that, made haste to nubia. there, having sack'd borno, the kingly seat, i took the king and led him bound in chains unto damascus, [ ] where i stay'd before. tamburlaine. well done, techelles!--what saith theridamas? theridamas. i left the confines and the bounds of afric, and made [ ] a voyage into europe, where, by the river tyras, i subdu'd stoka, podolia, and codemia; then cross'd the sea and came to oblia, and nigra silva, where the devils dance, which, in despite of them, i set on fire. ]from thence i cross'd the gulf call'd by the name mare majore of the inhabitants. yet shall my soldiers make no period until natolia kneel before your feet. tamburlaine. then will we triumph, banquet and carouse; cooks shall have pensions to provide us cates, and glut us with the dainties of the world; lachryma christi and calabrian wines shall common soldiers drink in quaffing bowls, ay, liquid gold, when we have conquer'd him, [ ] mingled with coral and with orient [ ] pearl. come, let us banquet and carouse the whiles. [exeunt.] act ii. scene i. enter sigismund, frederick, and baldwin, with their train. sigismund. now say, my lords of buda and bohemia, what motion is it that inflames your thoughts, and stirs your valours to such sudden arms? frederick. your majesty remembers, i am sure, what cruel slaughter of our christian bloods these heathenish turks and pagans lately made betwixt the city zula and danubius; how through the midst of varna and bulgaria, and almost to the very walls of rome, they have, not long since, massacred our camp. it resteth now, then, that your majesty take all advantages of time and power, and work revenge upon these infidels. your highness knows, for tamburlaine's repair, that strikes a terror to all turkish hearts, natolia hath dismiss'd the greatest part of all his army, pitch'd against our power betwixt cutheia and orminius' mount, and sent them marching up to belgasar, acantha, antioch, and caesarea, to aid the kings of soria [ ] and jerusalem. now, then, my lord, advantage take thereof, [ ] and issue suddenly upon the rest; that, in the fortune of their overthrow, we may discourage all the pagan troop that dare attempt to war with christians. sigismund. but calls not, then, your grace to memory the league we lately made with king orcanes, confirm'd by oath and articles of peace, and calling christ for record of our truths? this should be treachery and violence against the grace of our profession. baldwin. no whit, my lord; for with such infidels, in whom no faith nor true religion rests, we are not bound to those accomplishments the holy laws of christendom enjoin; but, as the faith which they profanely plight is not by necessary policy to be esteem'd assurance for ourselves, so that we vow [ ] to them should not infringe our liberty of arms and victory. sigismund. though i confess the oaths they undertake breed little strength to our security, yet those infirmities that thus defame their faiths, [ ] their honours, and religion, [ ] should not give us presumption to the like. our faiths are sound, and must be consummate, [ ] religious, righteous, and inviolate. frederick. assure your grace, 'tis superstition to stand so strictly on dispensive faith; and, should we lose the opportunity that god hath given to venge our christians' death, and scourge their foul blasphemous paganism, as fell to saul, to balaam, and the rest, that would not kill and curse at god's command, so surely will the vengeance of the highest, and jealous anger of his fearful arm, be pour'd with rigour on our sinful heads, if we neglect this [ ] offer'd victory. sigismund. then arm, my lords, and issue suddenly, giving commandment to our general host, with expedition to assail the pagan, and take the victory our god hath given. [exeunt.] scene ii. enter orcanes, gazellus, and uribassa, with their train. orcanes. gazellus, uribassa, and the rest, now will we march from proud orminius' mount to fair natolia, where our neighbour kings expect our power and our royal presence, t' encounter with the cruel tamburlaine, that nigh larissa sways a mighty host, and with the thunder of his martial [ ] tools makes earthquakes in the hearts of men and heaven. gazellus. and now come we to make his sinews shake with greater power than erst his pride hath felt. an hundred kings, by scores, will bid him arms, and hundred thousands subjects to each score: which, if a shower of wounding thunderbolts should break out of the bowels of the clouds, and fall as thick as hail upon our heads, in partial aid of that proud scythian, yet should our courages and steeled crests, and numbers, more than infinite, of men, be able to withstand and conquer him. uribassa. methinks i see how glad the christian king is made for joy of our [ ] admitted truce, that could not but before be terrified with [ ] unacquainted power of our host. enter a messenger. messenger. arm, dread sovereign, and my noble lords! the treacherous army of the christians, taking advantage of your slender power, comes marching on us, and determines straight to bid us battle for our dearest lives. orcanes. traitors, villains, damned christians! have i not here the articles of peace and solemn covenants we have both confirm'd, he by his christ, and i by mahomet? gazellus. hell and confusion light upon their heads, that with such treason seek our overthrow, and care so little for their prophet christ! orcanes. can there be such deceit in christians, or treason in the fleshly heart of man, whose shape is figure of the highest god? then, if there be a christ, as christians say, but in their deeds deny him for their christ, if he be son to everliving jove, and hath the power of his outstretched arm, if he be jealous of his name and honour as is our holy prophet mahomet, take here these papers as our sacrifice and witness of thy servant's [ ] perjury! [he tears to pieces the articles of peace.] open, thou shining veil of cynthia, and make a passage from th' empyreal heaven, that he that sits on high and never sleeps, nor in one place is circumscriptible, but every where fills every continent with strange infusion of his sacred vigour, may, in his endless power and purity, behold and venge this traitor's perjury! thou, christ, that art esteem'd omnipotent, if thou wilt prove thyself a perfect god, worthy the worship of all faithful hearts, be now reveng'd upon this traitor's soul, and make the power i have left behind (too little to defend our guiltless lives) sufficient to discomfit [ ] and confound the trustless force of those false christians!-- to arms, my lords! [ ] on christ still let us cry: if there be christ, we shall have victory. [exeunt.] scene iii. alarms of battle within. enter sigismund wounded. sigismund. discomfited is all the christian [ ] host, and god hath thunder'd vengeance from on high, for my accurs'd and hateful perjury. o just and dreadful punisher of sin, let the dishonour of the pains i feel in this my mortal well-deserved wound end all my penance in my sudden death! and let this death, wherein to sin i die, conceive a second life in endless mercy! [dies.] enter orcanes, gazellus, uribassa, with others. orcanes. now lie the christians bathing in their bloods, and christ or mahomet hath been my friend. gazellus. see, here the perjur'd traitor hungary, bloody and breathless for his villany! orcanes. now shall his barbarous body be a prey to beasts and fowls, and all the winds shall breathe, through shady leaves of every senseless tree, murmurs and hisses for his heinous sin. now scalds his soul in the tartarian streams, and feeds upon the baneful tree of hell, that zoacum, [ ] that fruit of bitterness, that in the midst of fire is ingraff'd, yet flourisheth, as flora in her pride, with apples like the heads of damned fiends. the devils there, in chains of quenchless flame, shall lead his soul, through orcus' burning gulf, ]from pain to pain, whose change shall never end. what say'st thou yet, gazellus, to his foil, which we referr'd to justice of his christ and to his power, which here appears as full as rays of cynthia to the clearest sight? gazellus. 'tis but the fortune of the wars, my lord, whose power is often prov'd a miracle. orcanes. yet in my thoughts shall christ be honoured, not doing mahomet an [ ] injury, whose power had share in this our victory; and, since this miscreant hath disgrac'd his faith, and died a traitor both to heaven and earth, we will both watch and ward shall keep his trunk [ ] amidst these plains for fowls to prey upon. go, uribassa, give [ ] it straight in charge. uribassa. i will, my lord. [exit.] orcanes. and now, gazellus, let us haste and meet our army, and our brother[s] of jerusalem, of soria, [ ] trebizon, and amasia, and happily, with full natolian bowls of greekish wine, now let us celebrate our happy conquest and his angry fate. [exeunt.] scene iv. the arras is drawn, and zenocrate is discovered lying in her bed of state; tamburlaine sitting by her; three physicians about her bed, tempering potions; her three sons, calyphas, amyras, and celebinus; theridamas, techelles, and usumcasane. tamburlaine. black is the beauty of the brightest day; the golden ball of heaven's eternal fire, that danc'd with glory on the silver waves, now wants the fuel that inflam'd his beams; and all with faintness, and for foul disgrace, he binds his temples with a frowning cloud, ready to darken earth with endless night. zenocrate, that gave him light and life, whose eyes shot fire from their [ ] ivory brows, [ ] and temper'd every soul with lively heat, now by the malice of the angry skies, whose jealousy admits no second mate, draws in the comfort of her latest breath, all dazzled with the hellish mists of death. now walk the angels on the walls of heaven, as sentinels to warn th' immortal souls to entertain divine zenocrate: apollo, cynthia, and the ceaseless lamps that gently look'd upon this [ ] loathsome earth, shine downwards now no more, but deck the heavens to entertain divine zenocrate: the crystal springs, whose taste illuminates refined eyes with an eternal sight, like tried silver run through paradise to entertain divine zenocrate: the cherubins and holy seraphins, that sing and play before the king of kings, use all their voices and their instruments to entertain divine zenocrate; and, in this sweet and curious harmony, the god that tunes this music to our souls holds out his hand in highest majesty to entertain divine zenocrate. then let some holy trance convey my thoughts up to the palace of th' empyreal heaven, that this my life may be as short to me as are the days of sweet zenocrate.-- physicians, will no [ ] physic do her good? first physician. my lord, your majesty shall soon perceive, an if she pass this fit, the worst is past. tamburlaine. tell me, how fares my fair zenocrate? zenocrate. i fare, my lord, as other empresses, that, when this frail and [ ] transitory flesh hath suck'd the measure of that vital air that feeds the body with his dated health, wane with enforc'd and necessary change. tamburlaine. may never such a change transform my love, in whose sweet being i repose my life! whose heavenly presence, beautified with health, gives light to phoebus and the fixed stars; whose absence makes [ ] the sun and moon as dark as when, oppos'd in one diameter, their spheres are mounted on the serpent's head, or else descended to his winding train. live still, my love, and so conserve my life, or, dying, be the author [ ] of my death. zenocrate. live still, my lord; o, let my sovereign live! and sooner let the fiery element dissolve, and make your kingdom in the sky, than this base earth should shroud your majesty; for, should i but suspect your death by mine, the comfort of my future happiness, and hope to meet your highness in the heavens, turn'd to despair, would break my wretched breast, and fury would confound my present rest. but let me die, my love; yes, [ ] let me die; with love and patience let your true love die: your grief and fury hurts my second life. yet let me kiss my lord before i die, and let me die with kissing of my lord. but, since my life is lengthen'd yet a while, let me take leave of these my loving sons, and of my lords, whose true nobility have merited my latest memory. sweet sons, farewell! in death resemble me, and in your lives your father's excellence. [ ] some music, and my fit will cease, my lord. [they call for music.] tamburlaine. proud fury, and intolerable fit, that dares torment the body of my love, and scourge the scourge of the immortal god! now are those spheres, where cupid us'd to sit, wounding the world with wonder and with love, sadly supplied with pale and ghastly death, whose darts do pierce the centre of my soul. her sacred beauty hath enchanted heaven; and, had she liv'd before the siege of troy, helen, whose beauty summon'd greece to arms, and drew a thousand ships to tenedos, had not been nam'd in homer's iliads,-- her name had been in every line he wrote; or, had those wanton poets, for whose birth old rome was proud, but gaz'd a while on her, nor lesbia nor corinna had been nam'd,-- zenocrate had been the argument of every epigram or elegy. [the music sounds--zenocrate dies.] what, is she dead? techelles, draw thy sword, and wound the earth, that it may cleave in twain, and we descend into th' infernal vaults, to hale the fatal sisters by the hair, and throw them in the triple moat of hell, for taking hence my fair zenocrate. casane and theridamas, to arms! raise cavalieros [ ] higher than the clouds, and with the cannon break the frame of heaven; batter the shining palace of the sun, and shiver all the starry firmament, for amorous jove hath snatch'd my love from hence, meaning to make her stately queen of heaven. what god soever holds thee in his arms, giving thee nectar and ambrosia, behold me here, divine zenocrate, raving, impatient, desperate, and mad, breaking my steeled lance, with which i burst the rusty beams of janus' temple-doors, letting out death and tyrannizing war, to march with me under this bloody flag! and, if thou pitiest tamburlaine the great, come down from heaven, and live with me again! theridamas. ah, good my lord, be patient! she is dead, and all this raging cannot make her live. if words might serve, our voice hath rent the air; if tears, our eyes have water'd all the earth; if grief, our murder'd hearts have strain'd forth blood: nothing prevails, [ ] for she is dead, my lord. tamburlaine. for she is dead! thy words do pierce my soul: ah, sweet theridamas, say so no more! though she be dead, yet let me think she lives, and feed my mind that dies for want of her. where'er her soul be, thou [to the body] shalt stay with me, embalm'd with cassia, ambergris, and myrrh, not lapt in lead, but in a sheet of gold, and, till i die, thou shalt not be interr'd. then in as rich a tomb as mausolus' [ ] we both will rest, and have one [ ] epitaph writ in as many several languages as i have conquer'd kingdoms with my sword. this cursed town will i consume with fire, because this place bereft me of my love; the houses, burnt, will look as if they mourn'd; and here will i set up her stature, [ ] and march about it with my mourning camp, drooping and pining for zenocrate. [the arras is drawn.] act iii. scene i. enter the kings of trebizon and soria, [ ] one bringing a sword and the other a sceptre; next, orcanes king of natolia, and the king of jerusalem with the imperial crown, after, callapine; and, after him, other lords and almeda. orcanes and the king of jerusalem crown callapine, and the others give him the sceptre. orcanes. callapinus cyricelibes, otherwise cybelius, son and successive heir to the late mighty emperor bajazeth, by the aid of god and his friend mahomet, emperor of natolia, jerusalem, trebizon, soria, amasia, thracia, ilyria, carmania, and all the hundred and thirty kingdoms late contributory to his mighty father,--long live callapinus, emperor of turkey! callapine. thrice-worthy kings, of natolia and the rest, i will requite your royal gratitudes with all the benefits my empire yields; and, were the sinews of th' imperial seat so knit and strengthen'd as when bajazeth, my royal lord and father, fill'd the throne, whose cursed fate [ ] hath so dismember'd it, then should you see this thief of scythia, this proud usurping king of persia, do us such honour and supremacy, bearing the vengeance of our father's wrongs, as all the world should blot his [ ] dignities out of the book of base-born infamies. and now i doubt not but your royal cares have so provided for this cursed foe, that, since the heir of mighty bajazeth (an emperor so honour'd for his virtues) revives the spirits of all [ ] true turkish hearts, in grievous memory of his father's shame, we shall not need to nourish any doubt, but that proud fortune, who hath follow'd long the martial sword of mighty tamburlaine, will now retain her old inconstancy, and raise our honours [ ] to as high a pitch, in this our strong and fortunate encounter; for so hath heaven provided my escape ]from all the cruelty my soul sustain'd, by this my friendly keeper's happy means, that jove, surcharg'd with pity of our wrongs, will pour it down in showers on our heads, scourging the pride of cursed tamburlaine. orcanes. i have a hundred thousand men in arms; some that, in conquest [ ] of the perjur'd christian, being a handful to a mighty host, think them in number yet sufficient to drink the river nile or euphrates, and for their power enow to win the world. king of jerusalem. and i as many from jerusalem, judaea, [ ] gaza, and sclavonia's [ ] bounds, that on mount sinai, with their ensigns spread, look like the parti-colour'd clouds of heaven that shew fair weather to the neighbour morn. king of trebizon. and i as many bring from trebizon, chio, famastro, and amasia, all bordering on the mare-major-sea, riso, sancina, and the bordering towns that touch the end of famous euphrates, whose courages are kindled with the flames the cursed scythian sets on all their towns, and vow to burn the villain's cruel heart. king of soria. from soria [ ] with seventy thousand strong, ta'en from aleppo, soldino, tripoly, and so unto my city of damascus, [ ] i march to meet and aid my neighbour kings; all which will join against this tamburlaine, and bring him captive to your highness' feet. orcanes. our battle, then, in martial manner pitch'd, according to our ancient use, shall bear the figure of the semicircled moon, whose horns shell sprinkle through the tainted air the poison'd brains of this proud scythian. callapine. well, then, my noble lords, for this my friend that freed me from the bondage of my foe, i think it requisite and honourable to keep my promise and to make him king, that is a gentleman, i know, at least. almeda. that's no matter, [ ] sir, for being a king; or tamburlaine came up of nothing. king of jerusalem. your majesty may choose some 'pointed time, performing all your promise to the full; 'tis naught for your majesty to give a kingdom. callapine. then will i shortly keep my promise, almeda. almeda. why, i thank your majesty. [exeunt.] scene ii. enter tamburlaine and his three sons, calyphas, amyras, and celebinus; usumcasane; four attendants bearing the hearse of zenocrate, and the drums sounding a doleful march; the town burning. tamburlaine. so burn the turrets of this cursed town, flame to the highest region of the air, and kindle heaps of exhalations, that, being fiery meteors, may presage death and destruction to the inhabitants! over my zenith hang a blazing star, that may endure till heaven be dissolv'd, fed with the fresh supply of earthly dregs, threatening a dearth [ ] and famine to this land! flying dragons, lightning, fearful thunder-claps, singe these fair plains, and make them seem as black as is the island where the furies mask, compass'd with lethe, styx, and phlegethon, because my dear zenocrate is dead! calyphas. this pillar, plac'd in memory of her, where in arabian, hebrew, greek, is writ, this town, being burnt by tamburlaine the great, forbids the world to build it up again. amyras. and here this mournful streamer shall be plac'd, wrought with the persian and th' [ ] egyptian arms, to signify she was a princess born, and wife unto the monarch of the east. celebinus. and here this table as a register of all her virtues and perfections. tamburlaine. and here the picture of zenocrate, to shew her beauty which the world admir'd; sweet picture of divine zenocrate, that, hanging here, will draw the gods from heaven, and cause the stars fix'd in the southern arc, (whose lovely faces never any view'd that have not pass'd the centre's latitude,) as pilgrims travel to our hemisphere, only to gaze upon zenocrate. thou shalt not beautify larissa-plains, but keep within the circle of mine arms: at every town and castle i besiege, thou shalt be set upon my royal tent; and, when i meet an army in the field, those [ ] looks will shed such influence in my camp, as if bellona, goddess of the war, threw naked swords and sulphur-balls of fire upon the heads of all our enemies.-- and now, my lords, advance your spears again; sorrow no more, my sweet casane, now: boys, leave to mourn; this town shall ever mourn, being burnt to cinders for your mother's death. calyphas. if i had wept a sea of tears for her, would not ease the sorrows [ ] i sustain. amyras. as is that town, so is my heart consum'd with grief and sorrow for my mother's death. celebinus. my mother's death hath mortified my mind, and sorrow stops the passage of my speech. tamburlaine. but now, my boys, leave off, and list to me, that mean to teach you rudiments of war. i'll have you learn to sleep upon the ground, march in your armour thorough watery fens, sustain the scorching heat and freezing cold, hunger and thirst, [ ] right adjuncts of the war; and, after this, to scale a castle-wall, besiege a fort, to undermine a town, and make whole cities caper in the air: then next, the way to fortify your men; in champion [ ] grounds what figure serves you best, for which [ ] the quinque-angle form is meet, because the corners there may fall more flat whereas [ ] the fort may fittest be assail'd, and sharpest where th' assault is desperate: the ditches must be deep; the [ ] counterscarps narrow and steep; the walls made high and broad; the bulwarks and the rampires large and strong, with cavalieros [ ] and thick counterforts, and room within to lodge six thousand men; it must have privy ditches, countermines, and secret issuings to defend the ditch; it must have high argins [ ] and cover'd ways to keep the bulwark-fronts from battery, and parapets to hide the musketeers, casemates to place the great [ ] artillery, and store of ordnance, that from every flank may scour the outward curtains of the fort, dismount the cannon of the adverse part, murder the foe, and save the [ ] walls from breach. when this is learn'd for service on the land, by plain and easy demonstration i'll teach you how to make the water mount, that you may dry-foot march through lakes and pools, deep rivers, havens, creeks, and little seas, and make a fortress in the raging waves, fenc'd with the concave of a monstrous rock, invincible by nature [ ] of the place. when this is done, then are ye soldiers, and worthy sons of tamburlaine the great. calyphas. my lord, but this is dangerous to be done; we may be slain or wounded ere we learn. tamburlaine. villain, art thou the son of tamburlaine, and fear'st to die, or with a [ ] curtle-axe to hew thy flesh, and make a gaping wound? hast thou beheld a peal of ordnance strike a ring of pikes, mingled with shot and horse, [ ] whose shatter'd limbs, being toss'd as high as heaven, hang in the air as thick as sunny motes, and canst thou, coward, stand in fear of death? hast thou not seen my horsemen charge the foe, shot through the arms, cut overthwart the hands, dying their lances with their streaming blood, and yet at night carouse within my tent, filling their empty veins with airy wine, that, being concocted, turns to crimson blood, and wilt thou shun the field for fear of wounds? view me, thy father, that hath conquer'd kings, and, with his [ ] host, march'd [ ] round about the earth, quite void of scars and clear from any wound, that by the wars lost not a drop [ ] of blood, and see him lance [ ] his flesh to teach you all. [he cuts his arm.] a wound is nothing, be it ne'er so deep; blood is the god of war's rich livery. now look i like a soldier, and this wound as great a grace and majesty to me, as if a chair of gold enamelled, enchas'd with diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and fairest pearl of wealthy india, were mounted here under a canopy, and i sat down, cloth'd with a massy robe that late adorn'd the afric potentate, whom i brought bound unto damascus' walls. come, boys, and with your fingers search my wound, and in my blood wash all your hands at once, while i sit smiling to behold the sight. now, my boys, what think ye of a wound? calyphas. i know not [ ] what i should think of it; methinks 'tis a pitiful sight. celebinus. 'tis [ ] nothing.--give me a wound, father. amyras. and me another, my lord. tamburlaine. come, sirrah, give me your arm. celebinus. here, father, cut it bravely, as you did your own. tamburlaine. it shall suffice thou dar'st abide a wound; my boy, thou shalt not lose a drop of blood before we meet the army of the turk; but then run desperate through the thickest throngs, dreadless of blows, of bloody wounds, and death; and let the burning of larissa-walls, my speech of war, and this my wound you see, teach you, my boys, to bear courageous minds, fit for the followers of great tamburlaine.-- usumcasane, now come, let us march towards techelles and theridamas, that we have sent before to fire the towns, the towers and cities of these hateful turks, and hunt that coward faint-heart runaway, with that accursed [ ] traitor almeda, till fire and sword have found them at a bay. usumcasane. i long to pierce his [ ] bowels with my sword, that hath betray'd my gracious sovereign,-- that curs'd and damned traitor almeda. tamburlaine. then let us see if coward callapine dare levy arms against our puissance, that we may tread upon his captive neck, and treble all his father's slaveries. [exeunt.] scene iii. enter techelles, theridamas, and their train. theridamas. thus have we march'd northward from tamburlaine, unto the frontier point [ ] of soria; [ ] and this is balsera, their chiefest hold, wherein is all the treasure of the land. techelles. then let us bring our light artillery, minions, falc'nets, and sakers, [ ] to the trench, filling the ditches with the walls' wide breach, and enter in to seize upon the hold.-- [ ] how say you, soldiers, shall we not? soldiers. yes, my lord, yes; come, let's about it. theridamas. but stay a while; summon a parle, drum. it may be they will yield it quietly, [ ] knowing two kings, the friends [ ] to tamburlaine, stand at the walls with such a mighty power. [a parley sounded.--captain appears on the walls, with olympia his wife, and his son.] captain. what require you, my masters? theridamas. captain, that thou yield up thy hold to us. captain. to you! why, do you [ ] think me weary of it? techelles. nay, captain, thou art weary of thy life, if thou withstand the friends of tamburlaine. theridamas. these pioners [ ] of argier in africa, even in [ ] the cannon's face, shall raise a hill of earth and faggots higher than thy fort, and, over thy argins [ ] and cover'd ways, shall play upon the bulwarks of thy hold volleys of ordnance, till the breach be made that with his ruin fills up all the trench; and, when we enter in, not heaven itself shall ransom thee, thy wife, and family. techelles. captain, these moors shall cut the leaden pipes that bring fresh water to thy men and thee, and lie in trench before thy castle-walls, that no supply of victual shall come in, nor [any] issue forth but they shall die; and, therefore, captain, yield it quietly. [ ] captain. were you, that are the friends of tamburlaine, [ ] brothers of [ ] holy mahomet himself, i would not yield it; therefore do your worst: raise mounts, batter, intrench, and undermine, cut off the water, all convoys that can, [ ] yet i am [ ] resolute: and so, farewell. [captain, olympia, and son, retire from the walls.] theridamas. pioners, away! and where i stuck the stake, intrench with those dimensions i prescrib'd; cast up the earth towards the castle-wall, which, till it may defend you, labour low, and few or none shall perish by their shot. pioners. we will, my lord. [exeunt pioners.] techelles. a hundred horse shall scout about the plains, to spy what force comes to relieve the hold. both we, theridamas, will intrench our men, and with the jacob's staff measure the height and distance of the castle from the trench, that we may know if our artillery will carry full point-blank unto their walls. theridamas. then see the bringing of our ordnance along the trench into [ ] the battery, where we will have gallions of six foot broad, to save our cannoneers from musket-shot; betwixt which shall our ordnance thunder forth, and with the breach's fall, smoke, fire, and dust, the crack, the echo, and the soldiers' cry, make deaf the air and dim the crystal sky. techelles. trumpets and drums, alarum presently! and, soldiers, play the men; the hold [ ] is yours! [exeunt.] scene iv. alarms within. enter the captain, with olympia, and his son. olympia. come, good my lord, and let us haste from hence, along the cave that leads beyond the foe: no hope is left to save this conquer'd hold. captain. a deadly bullet, gliding through my side, lies heavy on my heart; i cannot live: i feel my liver pierc'd, and all my veins, that there begin and nourish every part, mangled and torn, and all my entrails bath'd in blood that straineth [ ] from their orifex. farewell, sweet wife! sweet son, farewell! i die. [dies.] olympia. death, whither art thou gone, that both we live? come back again, sweet death, and strike us both! one minute and our days, and one sepulchre contain our bodies! death, why com'st thou not well, this must be the messenger for thee: [drawing a dagger.] now, ugly death, stretch out thy sable wings, and carry both our souls where his remains.-- tell me, sweet boy, art thou content to die? these barbarous scythians, full of cruelty, and moors, in whom was never pity found, will hew us piecemeal, put us to the wheel, or else invent some torture worse than that; therefore die by thy loving mother's hand, who gently now will lance thy ivory throat, and quickly rid thee both of pain and life. son. mother, despatch me, or i'll kill myself; for think you i can live and see him dead? give me your knife, good mother, or strike home: [ ] the scythians shall not tyrannize on me: sweet mother, strike, that i may meet my father. [she stabs him, and he dies.] olympia. ah, sacred mahomet, if this be sin, entreat a pardon of the god of heaven, and purge my soul before it come to thee! [she burns the bodies of her husband and son, and then attempts to kill herself.] enter theridamas, techelles, and all their train. theridamas. how now, madam! what are you doing? olympia. killing myself, as i have done my son, whose body, with his father's, i have burnt, lest cruel scythians should dismember him. techelles. 'twas bravely done, and like a soldier's wife. thou shalt with us to tamburlaine the great, who, when he hears how resolute thou wert, [ ] will match thee with a viceroy or a king. olympia. my lord deceas'd was dearer unto me than any viceroy, king, or emperor; and for his sake here will i end my days. theridamas. but, lady, go with us to tamburlaine, and thou shalt see a man greater than mahomet, in whose high looks is much more majesty, than from the concave superficies of jove's vast palace, the empyreal orb, unto the shining bower where cynthia sits, like lovely thetis, in a crystal robe; that treadeth fortune underneath his feet, and makes the mighty god of arms his slave; on whom death and the fatal sisters wait with naked swords and scarlet liveries; before whom, mounted on a lion's back, rhamnusia bears a helmet full of blood, and strows the way with brains of slaughter'd men; by whose proud side the ugly furies run, hearkening when he shall bid them plague the world; over whose zenith, cloth'd in windy air, and eagle's wings join'd [ ] to her feather'd breast, fame hovereth, sounding of [ ] her golden trump, that to the adverse poles of that straight line which measureth the glorious frame of heaven the name of mighty tamburlaine is spread; and him, fair lady, shall thy eyes behold. come. olympia. take pity of a lady's ruthful tears, that humbly craves upon her knees to stay, and cast her body in the burning flame that feeds upon her son's and husband's flesh. techelles. madam, sooner shall fire consume us both than scorch a face so beautiful as this, in frame of which nature hath shew'd more skill than when she gave eternal chaos form, drawing from it the shining lamps of heaven. theridamas. madam, i am so far in love with you, that you must go with us: no remedy. olympia. then carry me, i care not, where you will, and let the end of this my fatal journey be likewise end to my accursed life. techelles. no, madam, but the [ ] beginning of your joy: come willingly therefore. theridamas. soldiers, now let us meet the general, who by this time is at natolia, ready to charge the army of the turk. the gold and [ ] silver, and the pearl, ye got, rifling this fort, divide in equal shares: this lady shall have twice so much again out of the coffers of our treasury. [exeunt.] scene v. enter callapine, orcanes, the kings of jerusalem, trebizon, and soria, with their train, almeda, and a messenger. messenger. renowmed [ ] emperor, mighty [ ] callapine, god's great lieutenant over all the world, here at aleppo, with an host of men, lies tamburlaine, this king of persia, (in number more than are the [ ] quivering leaves of ida's forest, where your highness' hounds with open cry pursue the wounded stag,) who means to girt natolia's walls with siege, fire the town, and over-run the land. callapine. my royal army is as great as his, that, from the bounds of phrygia to the sea which washeth cyprus with his brinish waves, covers the hills, the valleys, and the plains. viceroys and peers of turkey, play the men; whet all your [ ] swords to mangle tamburlaine, his sons, his captains, and his followers: by mahomet, not one of them shall live! the field wherein this battle shall be fought for ever term'd [ ] the persians' sepulchre, in memory of this our victory. orcanes. now he that calls himself the [ ] scourge of jove, the emperor of the world, and earthly god, shall end the warlike progress he intends, and travel headlong to the lake of hell, where legions of devils (knowing he must die here in natolia by your [ ] highness' hands), all brandishing their [ ] brands of quenchless fire, stretching their monstrous paws, grin with [ ] their teeth, and guard the gates to entertain his soul. callapine. tell me, viceroys, the number of your men, and what our army royal is esteem'd. king of jerusalem. from palestina and jerusalem, of hebrews three score thousand fighting men are come, since last we shew'd your [ ] majesty. orcanes. so from arabia desert, and the bounds of that sweet land whose brave metropolis re-edified the fair semiramis, came forty thousand warlike foot and horse, since last we number'd to your majesty. king of trebizon. from trebizon in asia the less, naturaliz'd turks and stout bithynians came to my bands, full fifty thousand more, (that, fighting, know not what retreat doth mean, nor e'er return but with the victory,) since last we number'd to your majesty. king of soria. of sorians [ ] from halla is repair'd, [ ] and neighbour cities of your highness' land, [ ] ten thousand horse, and thirty thousand foot, since last we number'd to your majesty; so that the army royal is esteem'd six hundred thousand valiant fighting men. callapine. then welcome, tamburlaine, unto thy death!-- come, puissant viceroys, let us to the field (the persians' sepulchre), and sacrifice mountains of breathless men to mahomet, who now, with jove, opens the firmament to see the slaughter of our enemies. enter tamburlaine with his three sons, calyphas, amyras, and celebinus; usumcasane, and others. tamburlaine. how now, casane! see, a knot of kings, sitting as if they were a-telling riddles! usumcasane. my lord, your presence makes them pale and wan: poor souls, they look as if their deaths were near. tamburlaine. why, so he [ ] is, casane; i am here: but yet i'll save their lives, and make them slaves.-- ye petty kings of turkey, i am come, as hector did into the grecian camp, to overdare the pride of graecia, and set his warlike person to the view of fierce achilles, rival of his fame: i do you honour in the simile; for, if i should, as hector did achilles, (the worthiest knight that ever brandish'd sword,) challenge in combat any of you all, i see how fearfully ye would refuse, and fly my glove as from a scorpion. orcanes. now, thou art fearful of thy army's strength, thou wouldst with overmatch of person fight: but, shepherd's issue, base-born tamburlaine, think of thy end; this sword shall lance thy throat. tamburlaine. villain, the shepherd's issue (at whose birth heaven did afford a gracious aspect, and join'd those stars that shall be opposite even till the dissolution of the world, and never meant to make a conqueror so famous as is [ ] mighty tamburlaine) shall so torment thee, and that callapine, that, like a roguish runaway, suborn'd that villain there, that slave, that turkish dog, to false his service to his sovereign, as ye shall curse the birth of tamburlaine. callapine. rail not, proud scythian: i shall now revenge my father's vile abuses and mine own. king of jerusalem. by mahomet, he shall be tied in chains, rowing with christians in a brigandine about the grecian isles to rob and spoil, and turn him to his ancient trade again: methinks the slave should make a lusty thief. callapine. nay, when the battle ends, all we will meet, and sit in council to invent some pain that most may vex his body and his soul. tamburlaine. sirrah callapine, i'll hang a clog about your neck for running away again: you shall not trouble me thus to come and fetch you.-- but as for you, viceroy[s], you shall have bits, and, harness'd [ ] like my horses, draw my coach; and, when ye stay, be lash'd with whips of wire: i'll have you learn to feed on [ ] provender, and in a stable lie upon the planks. orcanes. but, tamburlaine, first thou shalt [ ] kneel to us, and humbly crave a pardon for thy life. king of trebizon. the common soldiers of our mighty host shall bring thee bound unto the [ ] general's tent [.] king of soria. and all have jointly sworn thy cruel death, or bind thee in eternal torments' wrath. tamburlaine. well, sirs, diet yourselves; you know i shall have occasion shortly to journey you. celebinus. see, father, how almeda the jailor looks upon us! tamburlaine. villain, traitor, damned fugitive, i'll make thee wish the earth had swallow'd thee! see'st thou not death within my wrathful looks? go, villain, cast thee headlong from a rock, or rip thy bowels, and rent [ ] out thy heart, t' appease my wrath; or else i'll torture thee, searing thy hateful flesh with burning irons and drops of scalding lead, while all thy joints be rack'd and beat asunder with the wheel; for, if thou liv'st, not any element shall shroud thee from the wrath of tamburlaine. callapine. well, in despite of thee, he shall be king.-- come, almeda; receive this crown of me: i here invest thee king of ariadan, bordering on mare roso, near to mecca. orcanes. what! take it, man. almeda. [to tamb.] good my lord, let me take it. callapine. dost thou ask him leave? here; take it. tamburlaine. go to, sirrah! [ ] take your crown, and make up the half dozen. so, sirrah, now you are a king, you must give arms. [ ] orcanes. so he shall, and wear thy head in his scutcheon. tamburlaine. no; [ ] let him hang a bunch of keys on his standard, to put him in remembrance he was a jailor, that, when i take him, i may knock out his brains with them, and lock you in the stable, when you shall come sweating from my chariot. king of trebizon. away! let us to the field, that the villain may be slain. tamburlaine. sirrah, prepare whips, and bring my chariot to my tent; for, as soon as the battle is done, i'll ride in triumph through the camp. enter theridamas, techelles, and their train. how now, ye petty kings? lo, here are bugs [ ] will make the hair stand upright on your heads, and cast your crowns in slavery at their feet!-- welcome, theridamas and techelles, both: see ye this rout, [ ] and know ye this same king? theridamas. ay, my lord; he was callapine's keeper. tamburlaine. well, now ye see he is a king. look to him, theridamas, when we are fighting, lest he hide his crown as the foolish king of persia did. [ ] king of soria. no, tamburlaine; he shall not be put to that exigent, i warrant thee. tamburlaine. you know not, sir.-- but now, my followers and my loving friends, fight as you ever did, like conquerors, the glory of this happy day is yours. my stern aspect [ ] shall make fair victory, hovering betwixt our armies, light on me, loaden with laurel-wreaths to crown us all. techelles. i smile to think how, when this field is fought and rich natolia ours, our men shall sweat with carrying pearl and treasure on their backs. tamburlaine. you shall be princes all, immediately.-- come, fight, ye turks, or yield us victory. orcanes. no; we will meet thee, slavish tamburlaine. [exeunt severally.] act iv. scene i. alarms within. amyras and celebinus issue from the tent where calyphas sits asleep. [ ] amyras. now in their glories shine the golden crowns of these proud turks, much like so many suns that half dismay the majesty of heaven. now, brother, follow we our father's sword, that flies with fury swifter than our thoughts, and cuts down armies with his conquering wings. celebinus. call forth our lazy brother from the tent, for, if my father miss him in the field, wrath, kindled in the furnace of his breast, will send a deadly lightning to his heart. amyras. brother, ho! what, given so much to sleep, you cannot [ ] leave it, when our enemies' drums and rattling cannons thunder in our ears our proper ruin and our father's foil? calyphas. away, ye fools! my father needs not me, nor you, in faith, but that you will be thought more childish-valourous than manly-wise. if half our camp should sit and sleep with me, my father were enough to scare [ ] the foe: you do dishonour to his majesty, to think our helps will do him any good. amyras. what, dar'st thou, then, be absent from the fight, knowing my father hates thy cowardice, and oft hath warn'd thee to be still in field, when he himself amidst the thickest troops beats down our foes, to flesh our taintless swords? calyphas. i know, sir, what it is to kill a man; it works remorse of conscience in me. i take no pleasure to be murderous, nor care for blood when wine will quench my thirst. celebinus. o cowardly boy! fie, for shame, come forth! thou dost dishonour manhood and thy house. calyphas. go, go, tall [ ] stripling, fight you for us both, and take my other toward brother here, for person like to prove a second mars. 'twill please my mind as well to hear, both you [ ] have won a heap of honour in the field, and left your slender carcasses behind, as if i lay with you for company. amyras. you will not go, then? calyphas. you say true. amyras. were all the lofty mounts of zona mundi that fill the midst of farthest tartary turn'd into pearl and proffer'd for my stay, i would not bide the fury of my father, when, made a victor in these haughty arms, he comes and finds his sons have had no shares in all the honours he propos'd for us. calyphas. take you the honour, i will take my ease; my wisdom shall excuse my cowardice: i go into the field before i need! [alarms within. amyras and celebinus run out.] the bullets fly at random where they list; and, should i [ ] go, and kill a thousand men, i were as soon rewarded with a shot, and sooner far than he that never fights; and, should i go, and do no harm nor good, i might have harm, which all the good i have, join'd with my father's crown, would never cure. i'll to cards.--perdicas! enter perdicas. perdicas. here, my lord. calyphas. come, thou and i will go to cards to drive away the time. perdicas. content, my lord: but what shall we play for? calyphas. who shall kiss the fairest of the turks' concubines first, when my father hath conquered them. perdicas. agreed, i'faith. [they play.] calyphas. they say i am a coward, perdicas, and i fear as little their taratantaras, their swords, or their cannons as i do a naked lady in a net of gold, and, for fear i should be afraid, would put it off and come to bed with me. perdicas. such a fear, my lord, would never make ye retire. calyphas. i would my father would let me be put in the front of such a battle once, to try my valour! [alarms within.] what a coil they keep! i believe there will be some hurt done anon amongst them. enter tamburlaine, theridamas, techelles, usumcasane; amyras and celebinus leading in orcanes, and the kings of jerusalem, trebizon, and soria; and soldiers. tamburlaine. see now, ye [ ] slaves, my children stoop your pride, [ ] and lead your bodies [ ] sheep-like to the sword!-- bring them, my boys, and tell me if the wars be not a life that may illustrate gods, and tickle not your spirits with desire still to be train'd in arms and chivalry? amyras. shall we let go these kings again, my lord, to gather greater numbers 'gainst our power, that they may say, it is not chance doth this, but matchless strength and magnanimity? tamburlaine. no, no, amyras; tempt not fortune so: cherish thy valour still with fresh supplies, and glut it not with stale and daunted foes. but where's this coward villain, not my son, but traitor to my name and majesty? [he goes in and brings calyphas out.] image of sloth, and picture of a slave, the obloquy and scorn of my renown! how may my heart, thus fired with mine [ ] eyes, wounded with shame and kill'd with discontent, shroud any thought may [ ] hold my striving hands ]from martial justice on thy wretched soul? theridamas. yet pardon him, i pray your majesty. techelles and usumcasane. let all of us entreat your highness' pardon. tamburlaine. stand up, [ ] ye base, unworthy soldiers! know ye not yet the argument of arms? amyras. good my lord, let him be forgiven for once, [ ] and we will force him to the field hereafter. tamburlaine. stand up, my boys, and i will teach ye arms, and what the jealousy of wars must do.-- o samarcanda, where i breathed first, and joy'd the fire of this martial [ ] flesh, blush, blush, fair city, at thine [ ] honour's foil, and shame of nature, which [ ] jaertis' [ ] stream, embracing thee with deepest of his love, can never wash from thy distained brows!-- here, jove, receive his fainting soul again; a form not meet to give that subject essence whose matter is the flesh of tamburlaine, wherein an incorporeal [ ] spirit moves, made of the mould whereof thyself consists, which makes me valiant, proud, ambitious, ready to levy power against thy throne, that i might move the turning spheres of heaven; for earth and all this airy region cannot contain the state of tamburlaine. [stabs calyphas.] by mahomet, thy mighty friend, i swear, in sending to my issue such a soul, created of the massy dregs of earth, the scum and tartar of the elements, wherein was neither courage, strength, or wit, but folly, sloth, and damned idleness, thou hast procur'd a greater enemy than he that darted mountains at thy head, shaking the burden mighty atlas bears, whereat thou trembling hidd'st thee in the air, cloth'd with a pitchy cloud for being seen.-- [ ] and now, ye canker'd curs of asia, that will not see the strength of tamburlaine, although it shine as brightly as the sun, now you shall [ ] feel the strength of tamburlaine, and, by the state of his supremacy, approve [ ] the difference 'twixt himself and you. orcanes. thou shew'st the difference 'twixt ourselves and thee, in this thy barbarous damned tyranny. king of jerusalem. thy victories are grown so violent, that shortly heaven, fill'd with the meteors of blood and fire thy tyrannies have made, will pour down blood and fire on thy head, whose scalding drops will pierce thy seething brains, and, with our bloods, revenge our bloods [ ] on thee. tamburlaine. villains, these terrors, and these tyrannies (if tyrannies war's justice ye repute), i execute, enjoin'd me from above, to scourge the pride of such as heaven abhors; nor am i made arch-monarch of the world, crown'd and invested by the hand of jove, for deeds of bounty or nobility; but, since i exercise a greater name, the scourge of god and terror of the world, i must apply myself to fit those terms, in war, in blood, in death, in cruelty, and plague such peasants [ ] as resist in [ ] me the power of heaven's eternal majesty.-- theridamas, techelles, and casane, [ ] ransack the tents and the pavilions of these proud turks, and take their concubines, making them bury this effeminate brat; for not a common soldier shall defile his manly fingers with so faint a boy: then bring those turkish harlots to my tent, and i'll dispose them as it likes me best.-- meanwhile, take him in. soldiers. we will, my lord. [exeunt with the body of calyphas.] king of jerusalem. o damned monster! nay, a fiend of hell, whose cruelties are not so harsh as thine, nor yet impos'd with such a bitter hate! orcanes. revenge it, [ ] rhadamanth and aeacus, and let your hates, extended in his pains, excel [ ] the hate wherewith he pains our souls! king of trebizon. may never day give virtue to his eyes, whose sight, compos'd of fury and of fire, doth send such stern affections to his heart! king of soria. may never spirit, vein, or artier, [ ] feed the cursed substance of that cruel heart; but, wanting moisture and remorseful [ ] blood, dry up with anger, and consume with heat! tamburlaine. well, bark, ye dogs: i'll bridle all your tongues, and bind them close with bits of burnish'd steel, down to the channels of your hateful throats; and, with the pains my rigour shall inflict, i'll make ye roar, that earth may echo forth the far-resounding torments ye sustain; as when an herd of lusty cimbrian bulls run mourning round about the females' miss, [ ] and, stung with fury of their following, fill all the air with troublous bellowing. i will, with engines never exercis'd, conquer, sack, and utterly consume your cities and your golden palaces, and, with the flames that beat against the clouds, incense the heavens, and make the stars to melt, as if they were the tears of mahomet for hot consumption of his country's pride; and, till by vision or by speech i hear immortal jove say "cease, my tamburlaine," i will persist a terror to the world, making the meteors (that, like armed men, are seen to march upon the towers of heaven) run tilting round about the firmament, and break their burning lances in the air, for honour of my wondrous victories.-- come, bring them in to our pavilion. [exeunt.] scene ii. enter olympia. olympia. distress'd olympia, whose weeping eyes, since thy arrival here, behold [ ] no sun, but, clos'd within the compass of a [ ] tent, have [ ] stain'd thy cheeks, and made thee look like death, devise some means to rid thee of thy life, rather than yield to his detested suit, whose drift is only to dishonour thee; and, since this earth, dew'd with thy brinish tears, affords no herbs whose taste may poison thee, nor yet this air, beat often with thy sighs, contagious smells and vapours to infect thee, nor thy close cave a sword to murder thee, let this invention be the instrument. enter theridamas. theridamas. well met, olympia: i sought thee in my tent, but, when i saw the place obscure and dark, which with thy beauty thou wast wont to light, enrag'd, i ran about the fields for thee, supposing amorous jove had sent his son, the winged hermes, to convey thee hence; but now i find thee, and that fear is past, tell me, olympia, wilt thou grant my suit? olympia. my lord and husband's death, with my sweet son's, (with whom i buried all affections save grief and sorrow, which torment my heart,) forbids my mind to entertain a thought that tends to love, but meditate on death, a fitter subject for a pensive soul. theridamas. olympia, pity him in whom thy looks have greater operation and more force than cynthia's in the watery wilderness; for with thy view my joys are at the full, and ebb again as thou depart'st from me. olympia. ah, pity me, my lord, and draw your sword, making a passage for my troubled soul, which beats against this prison to get out, and meet my husband and my loving son! theridamas. nothing but still thy husband and thy son? leave this, my love, and listen more to me: thou shalt be stately queen of fair argier; and, cloth'd in costly cloth of massy gold, upon the marble turrets of my court sit like to venus in her chair of state, commanding all thy princely eye desires; and i will cast off arms to [ ] sit with thee, spending my life in sweet discourse of love. olympia. no such discourse is pleasant in [ ] mine ears, but that where every period ends with death, and every line begins with death again: i cannot love, to be an emperess. theridamas. nay, lady, then, if nothing will prevail, i'll use some other means to make you yield: such is the sudden fury of my love, i must and will be pleas'd, and you shall yield: come to the tent again. olympia. stay now, my lord; and, will you [ ] save my honour, i'll give your grace a present of such price as all the world can not afford the like. theridamas. what is it? olympia. an ointment which a cunning alchymist distilled from the purest balsamum and simplest extracts of all minerals, in which the essential form of marble stone, temper'd by science metaphysical, and spells of magic from the mouths [ ] of spirits, with which if you but 'noint your tender skin, nor pistol, sword, nor lance, can pierce your flesh. theridamas. why, madam, think you to mock me thus palpably? olympia. to prove it, i will 'noint my naked throat, which when you stab, look on your weapon's point, and you shall see't rebated [ ] with the blow. theridamas. why gave you not your husband some of it, if you lov'd him, and it so precious? olympia. my purpose was, my lord, to spend it so, but was prevented by his sudden end; and for a present easy proof thereof, [ ] that i dissemble not, try it on me. theridamas. i will, olympia, and will [ ] keep it for the richest present of this eastern world. [she anoints her throat. [ ]] olympia. now stab, my lord, and mark your weapon's point, that will be blunted if the blow be great. theridamas. here, then, olympia.-- [stabs her.] what, have i slain her? villain, stab thyself! cut off this arm that at murdered my [ ] love, in whom the learned rabbis of this age might find as many wondrous miracles as in the theoria of the world! now hell is fairer than elysium; [ ] a greater lamp than that bright eye of heaven, ]from whence the stars do borrow [ ] all their light, wanders about the black circumference; and now the damned souls are free from pain, for every fury gazeth on her looks; infernal dis is courting of my love, inventing masks and stately shows for her, opening the doors of his rich treasury to entertain this queen of chastity; whose body shall be tomb'd with all the pomp the treasure of my [ ] kingdom may afford. [exit with the body.] scene iii. enter tamburlaine, drawn in his chariot by the kings of trebizon and soria, [ ] with bits in their mouths, reins in his [ ] left hand, and in his right hand a whip with which he scourgeth them; amyras, celebinus, techelles, theridamas, usumcasane; orcanes king of natolia, and the king of jerusalem, led by five [ ] or six common soldiers; and other soldiers. tamburlaine. holla, ye pamper'd jades of asia! [ ] what, can ye draw but twenty miles a-day, and have so proud a chariot at your heels, and such a coachman as great tamburlaine, but from asphaltis, where i conquer'd you, to byron here, where thus i honour you? the horse that guide the golden eye of heaven, and blow the morning from their nostrils, [ ] making their fiery gait above the clouds, are not so honour'd in [ ] their governor as you, ye slaves, in mighty tamburlaine. the headstrong jades of thrace alcides tam'd, that king aegeus fed with human flesh, and made so wanton that they knew their strengths, were not subdu'd with valour more divine than you by this unconquer'd arm of mine. to make you fierce, and fit my appetite, you shall be fed with flesh as raw as blood, and drink in pails the strongest muscadel: if you can live with it, then live, and draw my chariot swifter than the racking [ ] clouds; if not, then die like beasts, and fit for naught but perches for the black and fatal ravens. thus am i right the scourge of highest jove; and see the figure of my dignity, by which i hold my name and majesty! amyras. let me have coach, [ ] my lord, that i may ride, and thus be drawn by [ ] these two idle kings. tamburlaine. thy youth forbids such ease, my kingly boy: they shall to-morrow draw my chariot, while these their fellow-kings may be refresh'd. orcanes. o thou that sway'st the region under earth, and art a king as absolute as jove, come as thou didst in fruitful sicily, surveying all the glories of the land, and as thou took'st the fair proserpina, joying the fruit of ceres' garden-plot, [ ] for love, for honour, and to make her queen, so, for just hate, for shame, and to subdue this proud contemner of thy dreadful power, come once in fury, and survey his pride, haling him headlong to the lowest hell! theridamas. your majesty must get some bits for these, to bridle their contemptuous cursing tongues, that, like unruly never-broken jades, break through the hedges of their hateful mouths, and pass their fixed bounds exceedingly. techelles. nay, we will break the hedges of their mouths, and pull their kicking colts [ ] out of their pastures. usumcasane. your majesty already hath devis'd a mean, as fit as may be, to restrain these coltish coach-horse tongues from blasphemy. celebinus. how like you that, sir king? why speak you not? king of jerusalem. ah, cruel brat, sprung from a tyrant's loins! how like his cursed father he begins to practice taunts and bitter tyrannies! tamburlaine. ay, turk, i tell thee, this same [ ] boy is he that must (advanc'd in higher pomp than this) rifle the kingdoms i shall leave unsack'd, if jove, esteeming me too good for earth, raise me, to match [ ] the fair aldeboran, above [ ] the threefold astracism of heaven, before i conquer all the triple world.-- now fetch me out the turkish concubines: i will prefer them for the funeral they have bestow'd on my abortive son. [the concubines are brought in.] where are my common soldiers now, that fought so lion-like upon asphaltis' plains? soldiers. here, my lord. tamburlaine. hold ye, tall [ ] soldiers, take ye queens a-piece,-- i mean such queens as were kings' concubines; take them; divide them, and their [ ] jewels too, and let them equally serve all your turns. soldiers. we thank your majesty. tamburlaine. brawl not, i warn you, for your lechery; for every man that so offends shall die. orcanes. injurious tyrant, wilt thou so defame the hateful fortunes of thy victory, to exercise upon such guiltless dames the violence of thy common soldiers' lust? tamburlaine. live continent, [ ] then, ye slaves, and meet not me with troops of harlots at your slothful heels. concubines. o, pity us, my lord, and save our honours! tamburlaine. are ye not gone, ye villains, with your spoils? [the soldiers run away with the concubines.] king of jerusalem. o, merciless, infernal cruelty! tamburlaine. save your honours! 'twere but time indeed, lost long before ye knew what honour meant. theridamas. it seems they meant to conquer us, my lord, and make us jesting pageants for their trulls. tamburlaine. and now themselves shall make our pageant, and common soldiers jest [ ] with all their trulls. let them take pleasure soundly in their spoils, till we prepare our march to babylon, whither we next make expedition. techelles. let us not be idle, then, my lord, but presently be prest [ ] to conquer it. tamburlaine. we will, techelles.--forward, then, ye jades! now crouch, ye kings of greatest asia, and tremble, when ye hear this scourge will come that whips down cities and controlleth crowns, adding their wealth and treasure to my store. the euxine sea, north to natolia; the terrene, [ ] west; the caspian, north northeast; and on the south, sinus arabicus; shall all [ ] be loaden with the martial spoils we will convey with us to persia. then shall my native city samarcanda, and crystal waves of fresh jaertis' [ ] stream, the pride and beauty of her princely seat, be famous through the furthest [ ] continents; for there my palace royal shall be plac'd, whose shining turrets shall dismay the heavens, and cast the fame of ilion's tower to hell: thorough [ ] the streets, with troops of conquer'd kings, i'll ride in golden armour like the sun; and in my helm a triple plume shall spring, spangled with diamonds, dancing in the air, to note me emperor of the three-fold world; like to an almond-tree [ ] y-mounted [ ] high upon the lofty and celestial mount of ever-green selinus, [ ] quaintly deck'd with blooms more white than erycina's [ ] brows, [ ] whose tender blossoms tremble every one at every little breath that thorough heaven [ ] is blown. then in my coach, like saturn's royal son mounted his shining chariot [ ] gilt with fire, and drawn with princely eagles through the path pav'd with bright crystal and enchas'd with stars, when all the gods stand gazing at his pomp, so will i ride through samarcanda-streets, until my soul, dissever'd from this flesh, shall mount the milk-white way, and meet him there. to babylon, my lords, to babylon! [exeunt.] act v. scene i. enter the governor of babylon, maximus, and others, upon the walls. governor. what saith maximus? maximus. my lord, the breach the enemy hath made gives such assurance of our overthrow, that little hope is left to save our lives, or hold our city from the conqueror's hands. then hang out [ ] flags, my lord, of humble truce, and satisfy the people's general prayers, that tamburlaine's intolerable wrath may be suppress'd by our submission. governor. villain, respect'st thou [ ] more thy slavish life than honour of thy country or thy name? is not my life and state as dear to me, the city and my native country's weal, as any thing of [ ] price with thy conceit? have we not hope, for all our batter'd walls, to live secure and keep his forces out, when this our famous lake of limnasphaltis makes walls a-fresh with every thing that falls into the liquid substance of his stream, more strong than are the gates of death or hell? what faintness should dismay our courages, when we are thus defenc'd against our foe, and have no terror but his threatening looks? enter, above, a citizen, who kneels to the governor. citizen. my lord, if ever you did deed of ruth, and now will work a refuge to our lives, offer submission, hang up flags of truce, that tamburlaine may pity our distress, and use us like a loving conqueror. though this be held his last day's dreadful siege, wherein he spareth neither man nor child, yet are there christians of georgia here, whose state he [ ] ever pitied and reliev'd, will get his pardon, if your grace would send. governor. how [ ] is my soul environed! and this eterniz'd [ ] city babylon fill'd with a pack of faint-heart fugitives that thus entreat their shame and servitude! enter, above, a second citizen. second citizen. my lord, if ever you will win our hearts, yield up the town, and [ ] save our wives and children; for i will cast myself from off these walls, or die some death of quickest violence, before i bide the wrath of tamburlaine. governor. villains, cowards, traitors to our state! fall to the earth, and pierce the pit of hell, that legions of tormenting spirits may vex your slavish bosoms with continual pains! i care not, nor the town will never yield as long as any life is in my breast. enter theridamas and techelles, with soldiers. theridamas. thou desperate governor of babylon, to save thy life, and us a little labour, yield speedily the city to our hands, or else be sure thou shalt be forc'd with pains more exquisite than ever traitor felt. governor. tyrant, i turn the traitor in thy throat, and will defend it in despite of thee.-- call up the soldiers to defend these walls. techelles. yield, foolish governor; we offer more than ever yet we did to such proud slaves as durst resist us till our third day's siege. thou seest us prest [ ] to give the last assault, and that shall bide no more regard of parle. [ ] governor. assault and spare not; we will never yield. [alarms: and they scale the walls.] enter tamburlaine, drawn in his chariot (as before) by the kings of trebizon and soria; amyras, celebinus, usumcasane; orcanes king of natolia, and the king of jerusalem, led by soldiers; [ ] and others. tamburlaine. the stately buildings of fair babylon, whose lofty pillars, higher than the clouds, were wont to guide the seaman in the deep, being carried thither by the cannon's force, now fill the mouth of limnasphaltis' lake, and make a bridge unto the batter'd walls. where belus, ninus, and great alexander have rode in triumph, triumphs tamburlaine, whose chariot-wheels have burst [ ] th' assyrians' bones, drawn with these kings on heaps of carcasses. now in the place, where fair semiramis, courted by kings and peers of asia, hath trod the measures, [ ] do my soldiers march; and in the streets, where brave assyrian dames have rid in pomp like rich saturnia, with furious words and frowning visages my horsemen brandish their unruly blades. re-enter theridamas and techelles, bringing in the governor of babylon. who have ye there, my lords? theridamas. the sturdy governor of babylon, that made us all the labour for the town, and us'd such slender reckoning of [ ] your majesty. tamburlaine. go, bind the villain; he shall hang in chains upon the ruins of this conquer'd town.-- sirrah, the view of our vermilion tents (which threaten'd more than if the region next underneath the element of fire were full of comets and of blazing stars, whose flaming trains should reach down to the earth) could not affright you; no, nor i myself, the wrathful messenger of mighty jove, that with his sword hath quail'd all earthly kings, could not persuade you to submission, but still the ports [ ] were shut: villain, i say, should i but touch the rusty gates of hell, the triple-headed cerberus would howl, and make [ ] black jove to crouch and kneel to me; but i have sent volleys of shot to you, yet could not enter till the breach was made. governor. nor, if my body could have stopt the breach, shouldst thou have enter'd, cruel tamburlaine. 'tis not thy bloody tents can make me yield, nor yet thyself, the anger of the highest; for, though thy cannon shook the city-walls, [ ] my heart did never quake, or courage faint. tamburlaine. well, now i'll make it quake.--go draw him [ ] up, hang him in [ ] chains upon the city-walls, and let my soldiers shoot the slave to death. governor. vile monster, born of some infernal hag, and sent from hell to tyrannize on earth, do all thy worst; nor death, nor tamburlaine, torture, or pain, can daunt my dreadless mind. tamburlaine. up with him, then! his body shall be scar'd. [ ] governor. but, tamburlaine, in limnasphaltis' lake there lies more gold than babylon is worth, which, when the city was besieg'd, i hid: save but my life, and i will give it thee. tamburlaine. then, for all your valour, you would save your life? whereabout lies it? governor. under a hollow bank, right opposite against the western gate of babylon. tamburlaine. go thither, some of you, and take his gold:-- [exeunt some attendants.] the rest forward with execution. away with him hence, let him speak no more.-- i think i make your courage something quail.-- [exeunt attendants with the governor or babylon.] when this is done, we'll march from babylon, and make our greatest haste to persia. these jades are broken-winded and half-tir'd; unharness them, and let me have fresh horse. [attendants unharness the kings or trebizon and soria] so; now their best is done to honour me, take them and hang them both up presently. king of trebizon. vile [ ] tyrant! barbarous bloody tamburlaine! tamburlaine. take them away, theridamas; see them despatch'd. theridamas. i will, my lord. [exit with the kings or trebizon and soria.] tamburlaine. come, asian viceroys; to your tasks a while, and take such fortune as your fellows felt. orcanes. first let thy scythian horse tear both our limbs, rather than we should draw thy chariot, and, like base slaves, abject our princely minds to vile and ignominious servitude. king of jerusalem. rather lend me thy weapon, tamburlaine, that i may sheathe it in this breast of mine. a thousand deaths could not torment our hearts more than the thought of this doth vex our souls. amyras. they will talk still, my lord, if you do not bridle them. tamburlaine. bridle them, and let me to my coach. [attendants bridle orcanes king of natolia, and the king of jerusalem, and harness them to the chariot.-- the governor of babylon appears hanging in chains on the walls.--re-enter theridamas.] amyras. see, now, my lord, how brave the captain hangs! tamburlaine. 'tis brave indeed, my boy:--well done!-- shoot first, my lord, and then the rest shall follow. theridamas. then have at him, to begin withal. [theridamas shoots at the governor.] governor. yet save my life, and let this wound appease the mortal fury of great tamburlaine! tamburlaine. no, though asphaltis' lake were liquid gold, and offer'd me as ransom for thy life, yet shouldst thou die.--shoot at him all at once. [they shoot.] so, now he hangs like bagdet's [ ] governor, having as many bullets in his flesh as there be breaches in her batter'd wall. go now, and bind the burghers hand and foot, and cast them headlong in the city's lake. tartars and persians shall inhabit there; and, to command the city, i will build a citadel, [ ] that all africa, which hath been subject to the persian king, shall pay me tribute for in babylon. techelles. what shall be done with their wives and children, my lord? tamburlaine. techelles, drown them all, man, woman, and child; leave not a babylonian in the town. techelles. i will about it straight.--come, soldiers. [exit with soldiers.] tamburlaine. now, casane, where's the turkish alcoran, and all the heaps of superstitious books found in the temples of that mahomet whom i have thought a god? they shall be burnt. usumcasane. here they are, my lord. tamburlaine. well said! [ ] let there be a fire presently. [they light a fire.] in vain, i see, men worship mahomet: my sword hath sent millions of turks to hell, slew all his priests, his kinsmen, and his friends, and yet i live untouch'd by mahomet. there is a god, full of revenging wrath, ]from whom the thunder and the lightning breaks, whose scourge i am, and him will i [ ] obey. so, casane; fling them in the fire.-- [they burn the books.] now, mahomet, if thou have any power, come down thyself and work a miracle: thou art not worthy to be worshipped that suffer'st [ ] flames of fire to burn the writ wherein the sum of thy religion rests: why send'st [ ] thou not a furious whirlwind down, to blow thy alcoran up to thy throne, where men report thou sitt'st [ ] by god himself? or vengeance on the head [ ] of tamburlaine that shakes his sword against thy majesty, and spurns the abstracts of thy foolish laws?-- well, soldiers, mahomet remains in hell; he cannot hear the voice of tamburlaine: seek out another godhead to adore; the god that sits in heaven, if any god, for he is god alone, and none but he. re-enter techelles. techelles. i have fulfill'd your highness' will, my lord: thousands of men, drown'd in asphaltis' lake, have made the water swell above the banks, and fishes, fed [ ] by human carcasses, amaz'd, swim up and down upon [ ] the waves, as when they swallow assafoetida, which makes them fleet [ ] aloft and gape [ ] for air. tamburlaine. well, then, my friendly lords, what now remains, but that we leave sufficient garrison, and presently depart to persia, to triumph after all our victories? theridamas. ay, good my lord, let us in [ ] haste to persia; and let this captain be remov'd the walls to some high hill about the city here. tamburlaine. let it be so;--about it, soldiers;-- but stay; i feel myself distemper'd suddenly. techelles. what is it dares distemper tamburlaine? tamburlaine. something, techelles; but i know not what.-- but, forth, ye vassals! [ ] whatsoe'er [ ] it be, sickness or death can never conquer me. [exeunt.] scene ii. enter callapine, king of amasia, a captain, and train, with drums and trumpets. callapine. king of amasia, now our mighty host marcheth in asia major, where the streams of euphrates [ ] and tigris swiftly run; and here may we [ ] behold great babylon, circled about with limnasphaltis' lake, where tamburlaine with all his army lies, which being faint and weary with the siege, we may lie ready to encounter him before his host be full from babylon, and so revenge our latest grievous loss, if god or mahomet send any aid. king of amasia. doubt not, my lord, but we shall conquer him: the monster that hath drunk a sea of blood, and yet gapes still for more to quench his thirst, our turkish swords shall headlong send to hell; and that vile carcass, drawn by warlike kings, the fowls shall eat; for never sepulchre shall grace this [ ] base-born tyrant tamburlaine. callapine. when i record [ ] my parents' slavish life, their cruel death, mine own captivity, my viceroys' bondage under tamburlaine, methinks i could sustain a thousand deaths, to be reveng'd of all his villany.-- ah, sacred mahomet, thou that hast seen millions of turks perish by tamburlaine, kingdoms made waste, brave cities sack'd and burnt, and but one host is left to honour thee, aid [ ] thy obedient servant callapine, and make him, after all these overthrows, to triumph over cursed tamburlaine! king of amasia. fear not, my lord: i see great mahomet, clothed in purple clouds, and on his head a chaplet brighter than apollo's crown, marching about the air with armed men, to join with you against this tamburlaine. captain. renowmed [ ] general, mighty callapine, though god himself and holy mahomet should come in person to resist your power, yet might your mighty host encounter all, and pull proud tamburlaine upon his knees to sue for mercy at your highness' feet. callapine. captain, the force of tamburlaine is great, his fortune greater, and the victories wherewith he hath so sore dismay'd the world are greatest to discourage all our drifts; yet, when the pride of cynthia is at full, she wanes again; and so shall his, i hope; for we have here the chief selected men of twenty several kingdoms at the least; nor ploughman, priest, nor merchant, stays at home; all turkey is in arms with callapine; and never will we sunder camps and arms before himself or his be conquered: this is the time that must eternize me for conquering the tyrant of the world. come, soldiers, let us lie in wait for him, and, if we find him absent from his camp, or that it be rejoin'd again at full, assail it, and be sure of victory. [exeunt.] scene iii. enter theridamas, techelles, and usumcasane. theridamas. weep, heavens, and vanish into liquid tears! fall, stars that govern his nativity, and summon all the shining lamps of heaven to cast their bootless fires to the earth, and shed their feeble influence in the air; muffle your beauties with eternal clouds; for hell and darkness pitch their pitchy tents, and death, with armies of cimmerian spirits, gives battle 'gainst the heart of tamburlaine! now, in defiance of that wonted love your sacred virtues pour'd upon his throne, and made his state an honour to the heavens, these cowards invisibly [ ] assail his soul, and threaten conquest on our sovereign; but, if he die, your glories are disgrac'd, earth droops, and says that hell in heaven is plac'd! techelles. o, then, ye powers that sway eternal seats, and guide this massy substance of the earth, if you retain desert of holiness, as your supreme estates instruct our thoughts, be not inconstant, careless of your fame, bear not the burden of your enemies' joys, triumphing in his fall whom you advanc'd; but, as his birth, life, health, and majesty were strangely blest and governed by heaven, so honour, heaven, (till heaven dissolved be,) his birth, his life, his health, and majesty! usumcasane. blush, heaven, to lose the honour of thy name, to see thy footstool set upon thy head; and let no baseness in thy haughty breast sustain a shame of such inexcellence, [ ] to see the devils mount in angels' thrones, and angels dive into the pools of hell! and, though they think their painful date is out, and that their power is puissant as jove's, which makes them manage arms against thy state, yet make them feel the strength of tamburlaine (thy instrument and note of majesty) is greater far than they can thus subdue; for, if he die, thy glory is disgrac'd, earth droops, and says that hell in heaven is plac'd! enter tamburlaine, [ ] drawn in his chariot (as before) by orcanes king of natolia, and the king of jerusalem, amyras, celebinus, and physicians. tamburlaine. what daring god torments my body thus, and seeks to conquer mighty tamburlaine? shall sickness prove me now to be a man, that have been term'd the terror of the world? techelles and the rest, come, take your swords, and threaten him whose hand afflicts my soul: come, let us march against the powers of heaven, and set black streamers in the firmament, to signify the slaughter of the gods. ah, friends, what shall i do? i cannot stand. come, carry me to war against the gods, that thus envy the health of tamburlaine. theridamas. ah, good my lord, leave these impatient words, which add much danger to your malady! tamburlaine. why, shall i sit and languish in this pain? no, strike the drums, and, in revenge of this, come, let us charge our spears, and pierce his breast whose shoulders bear the axis of the world, that, if i perish, heaven and earth may fade. theridamas, haste to the court of jove; will him to send apollo hither straight, to cure me, or i'll fetch him down myself. techelles. sit still, my gracious lord; this grief will cease, [ ] and cannot last, it is so violent. tamburlaine. not last, techelles! no, for i shall die. see, where my slave, the ugly monster death, shaking and quivering, pale and wan for fear, stands aiming at me with his murdering dart, who flies away at every glance i give, and, when i look away, comes stealing on!-- villain, away, and hie thee to the field! i and mine army come to load thy back with souls of thousand mangled carcasses.-- look, where he goes! but, see, he comes again, because i stay! techelles, let us march, and weary death with bearing souls to hell. first physician. pleaseth your majesty to drink this potion, which will abate the fury of your fit, and cause some milder spirits govern you. tamburlaine. tell me what think you of my sickness now? first physician. i view'd your urine, and the hypostasis, [ ] thick and obscure, doth make your danger great: your veins are full of accidental heat, whereby the moisture of your blood is dried: the humidum and calor, which some hold is not a parcel of the elements, but of a substance more divine and pure, is almost clean extinguished and spent; which, being the cause of life, imports your death: besides, my lord, this day is critical, dangerous to those whose crisis is as yours: your artiers, [ ] which alongst the veins convey the lively spirits which the heart engenders, are parch'd and void of spirit, that the soul, wanting those organons by which it moves, cannot endure, by argument of art. yet, if your majesty may escape this day, no doubt but you shall soon recover all. tamburlaine. then will i comfort all my vital parts, and live, in spite of death, above a day. [alarms within.] enter a messenger. messenger. my lord, young callapine, that lately fled from your majesty, hath now gathered a fresh army, and, hearing your absence in the field, offers to set upon [ ] us presently. tamburlaine. see, my physicians, now, how jove hath sent a present medicine to recure my pain! my looks shall make them fly; and, might i follow, there should not one of all the villain's power live to give offer of another fight. usumcasane. i joy, my lord, your highness is so strong, that can endure so well your royal presence, which only will dismay the enemy. tamburlaine. i know it will, casane.--draw, you slaves! in spite of death, i will go shew my face. [alarms. exit tamburlaine with all the rest (except the physicians), and re-enter presently.] tamburlaine. thus are the villain cowards [ ] fled for fear, like summer's vapours vanish'd by the sun; and, could i but a while pursue the field, that callapine should be my slave again. but i perceive my martial strength is spent: in vain i strive and rail against those powers that mean t' invest me in a higher throne, as much too high for this disdainful earth. give me a map; then let me see how much is left for me to conquer all the world, that these, my boys, may finish all my wants. [one brings a map.] here i began to march towards persia, along armenia and the caspian sea, and thence unto [ ] bithynia, where i took the turk and his great empress prisoners. then march'd i into egypt and arabia; and here, not far from alexandria, whereas [ ] the terrene [ ] and the red sea meet, being distant less than full a hundred leagues, i meant to cut a channel to them both, that men might quickly sail to india. ]from thence to nubia near borno-lake, and so along the aethiopian sea, cutting the tropic line of capricorn, i conquer'd all as far as zanzibar. then, by the northern part of africa, i came at last to graecia, and from thence to asia, where i stay against my will; which is from scythia, where i first began, [ ] backward[s] and forwards near five thousand leagues. look here, my boys; see, what a world of ground lies westward from the midst of cancer's line unto the rising of this [ ] earthly globe, whereas the sun, declining from our sight, begins the day with our antipodes! and shall i die, and this unconquered? lo, here, my sons, are all the golden mines, inestimable drugs and precious stones, more worth than asia and the world beside; and from th' antarctic pole eastward behold as much more land, which never was descried, wherein are rocks of pearl that shine as bright as all the lamps that beautify the sky! and shall i die, and this unconquered? here, lovely boys; what death forbids my life, that let your lives command in spite of death. amyras. alas, my lord, how should our bleeding hearts, wounded and broken with your highness' grief, retain a thought of joy or spark of life? your soul gives essence to our wretched subjects, [ ] whose matter is incorporate in your flesh. celebinus. your pains do pierce our souls; no hope survives, for by your life we entertain our lives. tamburlaine. but, sons, this subject, not of force enough to hold the fiery spirit it contains, must part, imparting his impressions by equal portions into [ ] both your breasts; my flesh, divided in your precious shapes, shall still retain my spirit, though i die, and live in all your seeds [ ] immortally.-- then now remove me, that i may resign my place and proper title to my son.-- first, take my scourge and my imperial crown, and mount my royal chariot of estate, that i may see thee crown'd before i die.-- help me, my lords, to make my last remove. [they assist tamburlaine to descend from the chariot.] theridamas. a woful change, my lord, that daunts our thoughts more than the ruin of our proper souls! tamburlaine. sit up, my son, [and] let me see how well thou wilt become thy father's majesty. amyras. with what a flinty bosom should i joy the breath of life and burden of my soul, if not resolv'd into resolved pains, my body's mortified lineaments [ ] should exercise the motions of my heart, pierc'd with the joy of any dignity! o father, if the unrelenting ears of death and hell be shut against my prayers, and that the spiteful influence of heaven deny my soul fruition of her joy, how should i step, or stir my hateful feet against the inward powers of my heart, leading a life that only strives to die, and plead in vain unpleasing sovereignty! tamburlaine. let not thy love exceed thine honour, son, nor bar thy mind that magnanimity that nobly must admit necessity. sit up, my boy, and with these [ ] silken reins bridle the steeled stomachs of these [ ] jades. theridamas. my lord, you must obey his majesty, since fate commands and proud necessity. amyras. heavens witness me with what a broken heart [mounting the chariot.] and damned [ ] spirit i ascend this seat, and send my soul, before my father die, his anguish and his burning agony! [they crown amyras.] tamburlaine. now fetch the hearse of fair zenocrate; let it be plac'd by this my fatal chair, and serve as parcel of my funeral. usumcasane. then feels your majesty no sovereign ease, nor may our hearts, all drown'd in tears of blood, joy any hope of your recovery? tamburlaine. casane, no; the monarch of the earth, and eyeless monster that torments my soul, cannot behold the tears ye shed for me, and therefore still augments his cruelty. techelles. then let some god oppose his holy power against the wrath and tyranny of death, that his tear-thirsty and unquenched hate may be upon himself reverberate! [they bring in the hearse of zenocrate.] tamburlaine. now, eyes, enjoy your latest benefit, and, when my soul hath virtue of your sight, pierce through the coffin and the sheet of gold, and glut your longings with a heaven of joy. so, reign, my son; scourge and control those slaves, guiding thy chariot with thy father's hand. as precious is the charge thou undertak'st as that which clymene's [ ] brain-sick son did guide, when wandering phoebe's [ ] ivory cheeks were scorch'd, and all the earth, like aetna, breathing fire: be warn'd by him, then; learn with awful eye to sway a throne as dangerous as his; for, if thy body thrive not full of thoughts as pure and fiery as phyteus' [ ] beams, the nature of these proud rebelling jades will take occasion by the slenderest hair, and draw thee [ ] piecemeal, like hippolytus, through rocks more steep and sharp than caspian cliffs: [ ] the nature of thy chariot will not bear a guide of baser temper than myself, more than heaven's coach the pride of phaeton. farewell, my boys! my dearest friends, farewell! my body feels, my soul doth weep to see your sweet desires depriv'd my company, for tamburlaine, the scourge of god, must die. [dies.] amyras. meet heaven and earth, and here let all things end, for earth hath spent the pride of all her fruit, and heaven consum'd his choicest living fire! let earth and heaven his timeless death deplore, for both their worths will equal him no more! [exeunt.] notes: [a] [from the first part of tamburlaine the great] tamburlaine the great. who, from a scythian shephearde by his rare and woonderfull conquests, became a most puissant and mightye monarque. and (for his tyranny, and terrour in warre) was tearmed, the scourge of god. deuided into two tragicall discourses, as they were sundrie times shewed vpon stages in the citie of london. by the right honorable the lord admyrall, his seruauntes. now first, and newlie published. london. printed by richard ihones: at the signe of the rose and crowne neere holborne bridge. . to. the above title-page is pasted into a copy of the first part of tamburlaine in the library at bridge-water house; which copy, excepting that title-page and the address to the readers, is the impression of . i once supposed that the title-pages which bear the dates and (see below) had been added to the tos of the two parts of the play originally printed in ; but i am now convinced that both parts were really reprinted, the first part in , and the second part in , and that nothing remains of the earlier tos, except the title-page and the address to the readers, which are preserved in the bridgewater collection. in the bodleian library, oxford, is an vo edition of both parts of tamburlaine, dated : the title-page of the first part agrees verbatim with that given above; the half-title-page of the second part is as follows; the second part of the bloody conquests of mighty tamburlaine. with his impassionate fury, for the death of his lady and loue faire zenocrate; his fourme of exhortacion and discipline to his three sons, and the maner of his own death. in the garrick collection, british museum, is an vo edition of both parts dated : the title-page of the first part runs thus; tamburlaine the great. who, from a scythian shepheard, by his rare and wonderfull conquestes, became a most puissant and mightie mornarch [sic]: and (for his tyrannie, and terrour in warre) was tearmed, the scourge of god. the first part of the two tragicall discourses, as they were sundrie times most stately shewed vpon stages in the citie of london. by the right honorable the lord admirall, his seruauntes. now newly published. printed by richard iones, dwelling at the signe of the rose and crowne neere holborne bridge. the half-title-page of the second part agrees exactly with that already given. perhaps the vo at oxford and that in the british museum (for i have not had an opportunity of comparing them) are the same impression, differing only in the title-pages. langbaine (account of engl. dram. poets, p. ) mentions an vo dated . the title-pages of the latest impressions of the two parts are as follows; tamburlaine the greate. who, from the state of a shepheard in scythia, by his rare and wonderfull conquests, became a most puissant and mighty monarque. london printed for edward white, and are to be solde at the little north doore of saint paules-church, at the signe of the gunne, . to. tamburlaine the greate. with his impassionate furie, for the death of his lady and loue fair zenocrate: his forme of exhortation and discipline to his three sonnes, and the manner of his owne death. the second part. london printed by e. a. for ed. white, and are to be solde at his shop neere the little north doore of saint paules church at the signe of the gun. . to. the text of the present edition is given from the vo of , collated with the tos of - .] footnotes: [footnote : the] so the to.--the vo "our."] [footnote : triumphs] so the vo.--the to "triumph."] [footnote : sad] old eds. "said."] [footnote : uribassa] in this scene, but only here, the old eds. have "upibassa."] [footnote : almains, rutters] rutters are properly--german troopers, (reiter, reuter). in the third speech after the present one this line is repeated verbatim: but in the first scene of our author's faustus we have,-- "like almain rutters with their horsemen's staves."] [footnote : orcanes.] omitted in the old eds.] [footnote : hugy] i.e. huge.] [footnote : cut the] so the vo.--the to "out of."] [footnote : champion] i.e. champaign.] [footnote : terrene] i.e. mediterranean (but the danube falls into the black sea.)] [footnote : cairo] old eds. "cairon:" but they are not consistent in the spelling of this name; afterwards (p. , sec. col.) [see note .] they have "cario."] [footnote : fear] i.e. frighten.] [footnote : sorians] so the to.--here the vo has "syrians"; but elsewhere in this sec. part of the play it agrees with the to in having "sorians," and "soria" (which occurs repeatedly,--the king of soria being one of the characters).--compare jonson's fox, act iv. sc. ; "whether a ship, newly arriv'd from soria, or from any suspected part of all the levant, be guilty of the plague," &c. on which passage whalley remarks; "the city tyre, from whence the whole country had its name, was anciently called zur or zor; since the arabs erected their empire in the east, it has been again called sor, and is at this day known by no other name in those parts. hence the italians formed their soria."] [footnote : black] so the vo.--the to "and black."] [footnote : egyptians, illyrians, thracians, and bithynians] so the vo (except that by a misprint it gives "illicians").-- the to has,-- "egyptians, frederick. and we from europe to the same intent illirians, thracians, and bithynians"; a line which belongs to a later part of the scene (see next col.) being unaccountably inserted here. (see note .)] [footnote : plage] i.e. region. so the vo.--the to "place."] [footnote : viceroy] so the vo.--the to "vice-royes."] [footnote : boheme] i.e. bohemia.] [footnote : bagdet's] so the vo in act v. sc. . here it has "badgeths": the to "baieths."] [footnote : parle] so the vo.--here the to "parley," but before, repeatedly, "parle."] [footnote : frederick. and we from europe, to the same intent] so the vo.--the to, which gives this line in an earlier part of the scene (see note §, preceding col.), [i.e. note ] omits it here.] [footnote : stand] so the vo.--the to "are."] [footnote : prest] i.e. ready.] [footnote : or] so the vo.--the to "and."] [footnote : conditions] so the to.--the vo "condition."] [footnote : confirm'd] so the to.--the vo "confirme."] [footnote : by] so the vo.--the to "with."] [footnote : renowmed] see note ||, p. . (here the old eds. agree.) [note ||, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "renowmed] i.e. renowned.--so the vo.--the to "renowned."--the form "renowmed" (fr. renomme) occurs repeatedly afterwards in this play, according to the vo. it is occasionally found in writers posterior to marlowe's time. e.g. "of constantines great towne renoum'd in vaine." verses to king james, prefixed to lord stirling's monarchicke tragedies, ed. .] [footnote : cairo] old eds. "cario." see note ¶, p. . (i.e. note .)] [footnote : stream] old eds. "streames."] [footnote : at] so the to.--the vo "an."] [footnote : terrene] i.e. mediterranean.] [footnote : where] altered by the modern editors to "whence,"--an alteration made by one of them also in a speech at p. , sec. col., [see note : which may be compared with the present one,-- "therefore i took my course to manico, where, unresisted, i remov'd my camp; and, by the coast," &c.] [footnote : from] so the to.--the vo "to."] [footnote : need] i.e. must.] [footnote : let] i.e. hinder.] [footnote : tainted] i.e. touched, struck lightly; see richardson's dict. in v.] [footnote : shall] so the vo.--the to "should."] [footnote : of] so the vo.--the to "to."] [footnote : to] so the vo.--the to "of."] [footnote : sprung] so the vo.--the to "sprong".--see note ?, d. [p.] . [note ?, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "sprung] here, and in the next speech, both the old eds. "sprong": but in p. , l. , first col., the to has "sprung", and in the sec. part of the play, act iv. sc. , they both give "sprung from a tyrants loynes." [page , first column, line , the first part of tamburlaine the great, "for he was never sprung of human race,"] [footnote : superficies] old eds. "superfluities."--(in act iii. sc. , we have, "the concave superficies of jove's vast palace.")] [footnote : through] so the to.--the vo "thorow."] [footnote : carcasses] so the vo.--the to "carkasse."] [footnote : we] so the vo.--the to "yon (you)."] [footnote : channel] i.e. collar, neck,--collar-bone.] [footnote : morocco] the old eds. here, and in the next speech, "morocus"; but see note ?, p. . [note ?, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "morocco] here the old eds. "moroccus,"--a barbarism which i have not retained, because previously, in the stage- direction at the commencement of this act, p. , they agree in reading "morocco."] [footnote : war] so the vo.--the to "warres."] [footnote : if infernal] so the vo.--the to "if the infernall."] [footnote : thee] old eds. "them."] [footnote : these] so the to.--the vo "this."] [footnote : strong] a mistake,--occasioned by the word "strong" in the next line.] [footnote : bootes'] so the to.--the vo "boetes."] [footnote : leaguer] i.e. camp.] [footnote : jubalter] here the old eds. have "gibralter"; but in the first part of this play they have "jubalter": see p. , first col. [p. , first col. (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "and thence unto the straits of jubalter;"] [footnote : the mighty christian priest, call'd john the great] concerning the fabulous personage, prester john, see nares's gloss. in v.] [footnote : where] see note ¶, p. . (i.e. note .)] [footnote : byather] the editor of printed "biafar": but it is very doubtful if marlowe wrote the names of places correctly.] [footnote : damascus] here the old eds. "damasco." see note *, p. . note *, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "damascus] both the old eds. here "damasco:" but in many other places they agree in reading "damascus."] [footnote : and made, &c.] a word dropt out from this line.] [footnote : him] i.e. the king of natolia.] [footnote : orient] old eds. "orientall" and "oriental."--both in our author's faustus and in his jew of malta we have "orient pearl."] [footnote : soria] see note ?, p. . [i.e. note .]] [footnote : thereof] so the vo.--the to "heereof."] [footnote : that we vow] i.e. that which we vow. so the vo.--the to "what we vow." neither of the modern editors understanding the passage, they printed "we that vow."] [footnote : faiths] so the vo.--the to "fame."] [footnote : and religion] old eds. "and their religion."] [footnote : consummate] old eds. "consinuate." the modern editors print "continuate," a word which occurs in shakespeare's timon of athens, act i. sc. ., but which the metre determines to be inadmissible in the present passage.--the revd. j. mitford proposes "continent," in the sense of--restraining from violence.] [footnote : this] so the vo.--the to "the."] [footnote : martial] so the to.--the vo "materiall."] [footnote : our] so the to.--the vo "your."] [footnote : with] so the to.--the vo "which."] [footnote : thy servant's] he means sigismund. so a few lines after, "this traitor's perjury."] [footnote : discomfit] old eds. "discomfort." (compare the first line of the next scene.)] [footnote : lords] so the vo.--the to "lord."] [footnote : christian] so the vo.--the to "christians."] [footnote : zoacum] "or zakkum.--the description of this tree is taken from a fable in the koran, chap. ." ed. .] [footnote : an] so the vo.--the to "any."] [footnote : we will both watch and ward shall keep his trunk] i.e. we will that both watch, &c. so the to.--the vo has "and keepe."] [footnote : uribassa, give] so the vo.--the to "vribassa, and giue."] [footnote : soria] see note ?, p. . [i.e. note .]] [footnote : their] so the to.--not in the vo.] [footnote : brows] old eds. "bowers."] [footnote : this] so the vo.--the to "the."] [footnote : no] so the to.--the vo "not."] [footnote : and] so the to.--the vo "a."] [footnote : makes] so the to.--the vo "make."] [footnote : author] so the to.--the vo "anchor."] [footnote : yes] old eds. "yet."] [footnote : excellence] so the to.--the vo "excellency."] [footnote : cavalieros] i.e. mounds, or elevations of earth, to lodge cannon.] [footnote : prevails] i.e. avails.] [footnote : mausolus'] wrong quantity.] [footnote : one] so the vo ("on").--the to "our."] [footnote : stature] see note |||, p. .--so the vo.--the to "statue." here the metre would be assisted by reading "statua," which is frequently found in our early writers: see my remarks on mr. collier's and mr. knight's editions of shakespeare, p. . [note |||, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "stature] so the vo.--the to "statue:" but again, in the second part of this play, act ii. sc. , we have, according to the vo-- "and here will i set up her stature." and, among many passages that might be cited from our early authors, compare the following; "the statures huge, of porphyrie and costlier matters made." warner's albions england, p. . ed. . "by them shal isis stature gently stand." chapman's blind begger of alexandria, , sig. a . "was not anubis with his long nose of gold preferred before neptune, whose stature was but brasse?" lyly's midas, sig. a . ed. ."] [footnote : soria] see note ?, p. . [i.e. note .]] [footnote : fate] so the vo.--the to "fates."] [footnote : his] old eds. "our."] [footnote : all] so the vo.--omitted in the to.] [footnote : honours] so the vo.--the to "honour."] [footnote : in conquest] so the to.--the vo "in the conquest."] [footnote : judaea] so the vo.--the to "juda."] [footnote : sclavonia's] old eds. "scalonians" and "sclauonians."] [footnote : soria] see note ?, p. . (i.e. note .] [footnote : damascus] here the old eds. "damasco." see note *, p. . note *, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "damascus] both the old eds. here "damasco:" but in many other places they agree in reading "damascus.""] [footnote : that's no matter, &c.] so previously (p. , first col.) almeda speaks in prose, "i like that well," &c. [p. , first col. (this play): "almeda. i like that well: but, tell me, my lord, if i should let you go, would you be as good as your word? shall i be made a king for my labour?"] [footnote : dearth] old eds. "death."] [footnote : th'] so the vo.--omitted in the to.] [footnote : those] old eds. "whose."] [footnote : sorrows] so the vo.--the to "sorrow."] [footnote : thirst] so the to.--the vo "colde."] [footnote : champion] i.e. champaign.] [footnote : which] old eds. "with."] [footnote : whereas] i.e. where.] [footnote : the] so the vo.--the to "and."] [footnote : cavalieros] see note ?, p. . [i.e. note .]] [footnote : argins] "argine, ital. an embankment, a rampart.["] ed., .] [footnote : great] so the vo.--the to "greatst."] [footnote : the] old eds. "their."] [footnote : by nature] so the vo.--the to "by the nature."] [footnote : a] so the to.--the vo "the."] [footnote : a ring of pikes, mingled with shot and horse] qy. "foot" instead of "shot"? (but the "ring of pikes" is "foot").--the revd. j. mitford proposes to read, "a ring of pikes and horse, mangled with shot."] [footnote : his] so the vo--the to "this."] [footnote : march'd] so the to.--the vo "martch."] [footnote : drop] so the vo.--the to "dram."] [footnote : lance] so the to.--here the vo "lanch": but afterwards more than once it has "lance."] [footnote : i know not, &c.] this and the next four speeches are evidently prose, as are several other portions of the play.] [footnote : 'tis] so the to.--the vo "this."] [footnote : accursed] so the to.--the vo "cursed."] [footnote : his] so the to.--the vo "the."] [footnote : point] so the vo.--the to "port."] [footnote : soria] see note ?, p. . [i.e. note .]] [footnote : minions, falc'nets, and sakers] "all small pieces of ordnance." ed. .] [footnote : hold] old eds. "gold" and "golde."] [footnote : quietly] so the vo.--the to "quickely."] [footnote : friends] so the to.--the vo "friend."] [footnote : you] so the to.--the vo "thou."] [footnote : pioners] see note ||, p. . [note ||, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "pioners] the usual spelling of the word in our early writers (in shakespeare, for instance)."] [footnote : in] so the vo.--the to "to."] [footnote : argins] see note ?[sic], p. . [note ?? p. , i.e. note .]] [footnote : quietly] so the vo.--the to "quickely."] [footnote : were you, that are the friends of tamburlaine] so the vo. --the to "were all you that are friends of tamburlaine."] [footnote : of] so the vo.--the to "to."] [footnote : all convoys that can] i.e. (i believe) all convoys (conveyances) that can be cut off. the modern editors alter "can" to "come."] [footnote : i am] so the vo.--the to "am i."] [footnote : into] so the vo.--the to "vnto."] [footnote : hold] so the to.--the vo "holds."] [footnote : straineth] so the to.--the vo "staineth."] [footnote : home] so the vo.--the to "haue."] [footnote : wert] so the vo.--the to "art."] [footnote : join'd] so the to.--the vo "inioin'd."] [footnote : of] so the vo.--the to "in."] [footnote : the] added perhaps by a mistake of the transcriber or printer.] [footnote : and] so the vo.--the to "the."] [footnote : renowmed] see note ||, p. . so the vo.--the to "renowned." [note ||, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great). "renowmed] i.e. renowned.--so the vo.--the to "renowned." --the form "renowmed" (fr. renomme) occurs repeatedly afterwards in this play, according to the vo. it is occasionally found in writers posterior to marlowe's time. e.g. "of constantines great towne renoum'd in vaine." verses to king james, prefixed to lord stirling's monarchicke tragedies, ed. ."] [footnote : emperor, mighty] so the vo.--the to "emperour, and mightie."] [footnote : the] so the to.--the vo "this."] [footnote : your] so the vo.--the to "our."] [footnote : term'd] old eds. "terme."] [footnote : the] so the to.--omitted in the vo.] [footnote : your] so the vo.--the to "our."] [footnote : brandishing their] so the to.--the vo "brandishing in their."] [footnote : with] so the to.--omitted in the vo.] [footnote : shew'd your] so the vo.--the to "shewed to your."] [footnote : sorians] see note ?, p. . [i.e. note .] [footnote : repair'd] so the vo.--the to "prepar'd."] [footnote : and neighbour cities of your highness' land] so the vo.-- omitted in the to.] [footnote : he] i.e. death. so the vo.--the to "it."] [footnote : is] so the vo.--the to "the."] [footnote : harness'd] so the vo.--the to "harnesse."] [footnote : on] so the to.--the vo "with" (the compositor having caught the word from the preceding line).] [footnote : thou shalt] so the vo.--the to "shalt thou."] [footnote : the] so the vo.--the to "our."] [footnote : and rent] so the vo.--the to "or rend."] [footnote : go to, sirrah] so the vo.--the to "goe sirrha."] [footnote : give arms] an heraldic expression, meaning--shew armorial bearings (used, of course, with a quibble).] [footnote : no] so the to.--the vo "go."] [footnote : bugs] i.e. bugbears, objects to strike you with terror.] [footnote : rout] i.e. crew, rabble.] [footnote : as the foolish king of persia did] see p. , first col. p. , first col. (the first part of tamburlaine the great, act ii, scene iv): " scene iv. enter mycetes with his crown in his hand. mycetes. accurs'd be he that first invented war! they knew not, ah, they knew not, simple men, how those were hit by pelting cannon-shot stand staggering like a quivering aspen-leaf fearing the force of boreas' boisterous blasts! (page ) in what a lamentable case were i, if nature had not given me wisdom's lore! for kings are clouts that every man shoots at, our crown the pin that thousands seek to cleave: therefore in policy i think it good to hide it close; a goodly stratagem, and far from any man that is a fool: so shall not i be known; or if i be, they cannot take away my crown from me. here will i hide it in this simple hole. enter tamburlaine. tamburlaine. what, fearful coward, straggling from the camp, when kings themselves are present in the field?"] [footnote : aspect] so the vo.--the to "aspects."] [footnote : sits asleep] at the back of the stage, which was supposed to represent the interior of the tent.] [footnote : you cannot] so the vo.--the to "can you not."] [footnote : scare] so the vo.--the to "scarce."] [footnote : tall] i.e. bold, brave.] [footnote : both you] so the vo.--the to "you both."] [footnote : should i] so the vo.--the to "i should."] [footnote : ye] so the vo.--the to "my."] [footnote : stoop your pride] i.e. make your pride to stoop.] [footnote : bodies] so the vo.--the to "glories."] [footnote : mine] so the to.--the vo "my."] [footnote : may] so the to.--the vo "nay."] [footnote : up] the modern editors alter this word to "by," not understanding the passage. tamburlaine means--do not kneel to me for his pardon.] [footnote : once] so the to.--the vo "one."] [footnote : martial] so the vo.--the to "materiall." (in this line "fire" is a dissyllable")] [footnote : thine] so the vo.--the to "thy."] [footnote : which] old eds. "with."] [footnote : jaertis'] so the vo.--the to "laertis." by "jaertis'" must be meant--jaxartes'.] [footnote : incorporeal] so the vo.--the to "incorporall."] [footnote : for being seen] i.e. "that thou mayest not be seen." ed. . see richardson's dict. in v. for.] [footnote : you shall] so the vo.--the to "shall ye."] [footnote : approve] i.e. prove, experience.] [footnote : bloods] so the to.--the vo "blood."] [footnote : peasants] so the vo.--the to "parsants."] [footnote : resist in] old eds "resisting."] [footnote : casane] so the to.--the vo "vsum casane."] [footnote : it] so the vo.--omitted in the to.] [footnote : excel] old eds. "expell" and "expel."] [footnote : artier] see note *, p. . note *, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "artier] i.e. artery. this form occurs again in the sec. part of the present play: so too in a copy of verses by day; "hid in the vaines and artiers of the earthe." shakespeare soc. papers, vol. i. . the word indeed was variously written of old: "the arter strynge is the conduyt of the lyfe spiryte." hormanni vulgaria, sig. g iii. ed. . "riche treasures serue for th'arters of the war." lord stirling's darius, act ii. sig. c . ed. . "onelye the extrauagant artire of my arme is brused." everie woman in her humor, , sig. d . "and from the veines some bloud each artire draines." davies's microcosmos, , p. ."] [footnote : remorseful] i.e. compassionate.] [footnote : miss] i.e. loss, want. the construction is--run round about, mourning the miss of the females.] [footnote : behold] qy "beheld"?] [footnote : a] so the to.--the vo "the."] [footnote : have] old eds. "hath."] [footnote : to] so the vo.--the to "and."] [footnote : in] so the vo.--the to "to."] [footnote : now, my lord; and, will you] so the vo.--the to "good my lord, if you will."] [footnote : mouths] so the to.--the vo "mother."] [footnote : rebated] i.e. blunted.] [footnote : thereof] so the vo.--the to "heereof."] [footnote : and will] so the to.--the vo "and i wil."] [footnote : she anoints her throat] this incident, as mr. collier observes (hist. of eng. dram. poet., iii. ) is borrowed from ariosto's orlando furioso, b. xxix, "where isabella, to save herself from the lawless passion of rodomont, anoints her neck with a decoction of herbs, which she pretends will render it invulnerable: she then presents her throat to the pagan, who, believing her assertion, aims a blow and strikes off her head."] [footnote : my] altered by the modern editors to "thy,"--unnecessarily.] [footnote : elysium] old eds. "elisian" and "elizian."] [footnote : do borrow] so the to.--the vo "borow doo."] [footnote : my] so the to (theridamas is king of argier).--the vo "thy."] [footnote : soria] see note ?, p. . [i.e. note .]] [footnote : his] so the to.--the vo "their."] [footnote : led by five] so the to.--the vo "led by with fiue."] [footnote : holla, ye pamper'd jades of asia, &c.] the ridicule showered on this passage by a long series of poets, will be found noticed in the account of marlowe and his writings. the "account of marlowe and his writings," is the introduction to this book of "the works of christopher marlowe." that is, the book from which this play has been transcribed. the following is a footnote from page xvii of that introduction. "tamb. holla, ye pamper'd jades of asia!" &c. p. , sec. col. this has been quoted or alluded to, generally with ridicule, by a whole host of writers. pistol's "hollow pamper'd jades of asia" in shakespeare's henry iv. p. ii. act ii. sc. , is known to most readers: see also beaumont and fletcher's coxcomb, act ii. sc. ; fletcher's women pleased, act iv. sc. ; chapman's, jonson's, and marston's eastward ho, act ii. sig. b , ed. ; brathwait's strappado for the diuell, , p. ; taylor the water-poet's thiefe and his world runnes on wheeles,--workes, pp. [ ], , ed. ; a brown dozen of drunkards, &c. , sig. a ; the duke of newcastle's varietie, a comedy, , p. ; --but i cannot afford room for more references.--in a similar spectacle had been exhibited at gray's inn: there the dumb show before the first act of gascoigne and kinwelmersh's jocasta introduced "a king with an imperiall crowne vpon hys head," &c. "sitting in a chariote very richly furnished, drawen in by iiii kings in their dublets and hosen, with crownes also vpon theyr heads, representing vnto vs ambition by the historie of sesostres," &c.] [footnote : and blow the morning from their nostrils] here "nostrils" is to be read as a trisyllable,--and indeed is spelt in the to "nosterils."--mr. collier (hist. of eng. dram. poet., iii. ) remarks that this has been borrowed from marlowe by the anonymous author of the tragedy of caesar and pompey, (and he might have compared also chapman's hymnus in cynthiam,--the shadow of night, &c. , sig. d ): but, after all, it is only a translation; "cum primum alto se gurgite tollunt solis equi, lucemque elatis naribus efflant." aen. xii. ] (virgil being indebted to ennius and lucilius).] [footnote : in] so the vo.--the to "as."] [footnote : racking] i.e. moving like smoke or vapour: see richardson's dict. in v.] [footnote : have coach] so the vo.--the to "haue a coach."] [footnote : by] so the to.--the vo "with."] [footnote : garden-plot] so the to.--the vo "garded plot."] [footnote : colts] i.e. (with a quibble) colts'-teeth.] [footnote : same] so the vo.--omitted in the to.] [footnote : match] so the vo.--the to "march."] [footnote : above] so the vo.--the to "about."] [footnote : tall] i.e. bold, brave.] [footnote : their] so the to.--omitted in the vo.] [footnote : continent] old eds. "content."] [footnote : jest] a quibble--which will be understood by those readers who recollect the double sense of jape (jest) in our earliest writers.] [footnote : prest] i.e. ready.] [footnote : terrene] i.e. mediterranean.] [footnote : all] so the vo.--omitted in the to.] [footnote : jaertis'] see note **, p. . [i.e. note .] so the vo.--the to "laertes."] [footnote : furthest] so the to.--the vo "furthiest."] [footnote : thorough] so the vo.--the to "through."] [footnote : like to an almond-tree, &c.] this simile in borrowed from spenser's faerie queene, b. i. c. vii. st. ; "upon the top of all his loftie crest, a bounch of heares discolourd diversly, with sprincled pearle and gold full richly drest, did shake, and seemd to daunce for iollity; like to an almond tree ymounted hye on top of greene selinis all alone, with blossoms brave bedecked daintily; whose tender locks do tremble every one at everie little breath that under heaven is blowne." the first three books of the faerie queene were originally printed in , the year in which the present play was first given to the press: but spenser's poem, according to the fashion of the times, had doubtless been circulated in manuscript, and had obtained many readers, before its publication. in abraham fraunce's arcadian rhetorike, , some lines of the second book of the faerie queene are accurately cited. and see my acc. of peele and his writings, p. xxxiv, works, ed. .] [footnote : y-mounted] so both the old eds.--the modern editors print "mounted"; and the editor of even remarks in a note, that the dramatist, "finding in the fifth line of spenser's stanza the word 'y-mounted,' and, probably considering it to be too obsolete for the stage, dropped the initial letter, leaving only nine syllables and an unrythmical line"! ! ! in the first part of this play (p. , first col.) we have,-- "their limbs more large and of a bigger size than all the brats y-sprung from typhon's loins:" but we need not wonder that the editor just cited did not recollect the passage, for he had printed, like his predecessor, "ere sprung."] [footnote : ever-green selinus] old eds. "euery greene selinus" and "euerie greene," &c.--i may notice that one of the modern editors silently alters "selinus" to (spenser's) "selinis;" but, in fact, the former is the correct spelling.] [footnote : erycina's] old eds. "hericinas."] [footnote : brows] so the to.--the vo "bowes."] [footnote : breath that thorough heaven] so the vo.--the to "breath from heauen."] [footnote : chariot] old eds. "chariots."] [footnote : out] old eds. "our."] [footnote : respect'st thou] old eds. "respects thou:" but afterwards, in this scene, the vo has, "why send'st thou not," and "thou sit'st."] [footnote : of] so the vo.--the to "in."] [footnote : he] so the to.--the vo "was."] [footnote : how, &c.] a mutilated line.] [footnote : eterniz'd] so the to.--the vo "enternisde."] [footnote : and] so the to.--omitted in the vo.] [footnote : prest] i.e. ready.] [footnote : parle] here the old eds. "parlie": but repeatedly before they have "parle" (which is used more than once by shakespeare).] [footnote : orcanes, king of natolia, and the king of jerusalem, led by soldiers] old eds. (which have here a very imperfect stage-direction) "the two spare kings",--"spare" meaning-- not then wanted to draw the chariot of tamburlaine.] [footnote : burst] i.e. broken, bruised.] [footnote : the measures] i.e. the dance (properly,--solemn, stately dances, with slow and measured steps).] [footnote : of] so the vo.--the to "for."] [footnote : ports] i.e. gates.] [footnote : make] so the to.--the vo "wake."] [footnote : the city-walls) so the vo.--the to "the walles."] [footnote : him] so the to.--the vo "it."] [footnote : in] old eds. "vp in,["]--the "vp" having been repeated by mistake from the preceding line.] [footnote : scar'd] so the vo; and, it would seem, rightly; tamburlaine making an attempt at a bitter jest, in reply to what the governor has just said.--the to "sear'd."] [footnote : vile] the vo "vild"; the to "wild" (both eds., a little before, have "vile monster, born of some infernal hag", and, a few lines after, "to vile and ignominious servitude":-- the fact is, our early writers (or rather, transcribers), with their usual inconsistency of spelling, give now the one form, and now the other: compare the folio shakespeare, , where we sometimes find "vild" and sometimes "vile.")] [footnote : bagdet's] so the vo.--the to "badgets."] [footnote : a citadel, &c.] something has dropt out from this line.] [footnote : well said] equivalent to--well done! as appears from innumerable passages of our early writers: see, for instances, my ed. of beaumont and fletcher's works, vol. i. , vol. ii. , vol. viii. .] [footnote : will i] so the vo.--the to "i will."] [footnote : suffer'st] old eds. "suffers": but see the two following notes.] [footnote : send'st] so the vo.--the to "sends."] [footnote : sit'st] so the vo.--the to "sits."] [footnote : head] so the vo.--the to "blood."] [footnote : fed] old eds. "feede."] [footnote : upon] so the vo.--omitted in the to.] [footnote : fleet] i.e. float.] [footnote : gape] so the vo.--the to "gaspe."] [footnote : in] so the vo.--omitted in the to.] [footnote : forth, ye vassals] spoken, of course, to the two kings who draw his chariot.] [footnote : whatsoe'er] so the vo.--the to "whatsoeuer."] [footnote : euphrates] see note |||, p. .] note |||, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "euphrates] so our old poets invariably, i believe, accentuate this word." note: 'euphrates' was printed with no accented characters at all.] [footnote : may we] so the vo.--the to "we may."] [footnote : this] so the vo.--the to "that" (but in the next speech of the same person it has "this tamburlaine").] [footnote : record] i.e. call to mind.] [footnote : aid] so the vo.--the to "and."] [footnote : renowmed] see note ||, p. . so the vo.--the to "renowned."--the prefix to this speech is wanting in the old eds. [note ||, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "renowmed] i.e. renowned.--so the vo.--the to "renowned." --the form "renowmed" (fr. renomme) occurs repeatedly afterwards in this play, according to the vo. it is occasionally found in writers posterior to marlowe's time. e.g. "of constantines great towne renoum'd in vaine." verses to king james, prefixed to lord stirling's monarchicke tragedies, ed. ."] [footnote : invisibly] so the to.--the vo "inuincible."] [footnote : inexcellence] so the to.--the vo "inexcellencie."] [footnote : enter tamburlaine, &c.] here the old eds. have no stage- direction; and perhaps the poet intended that tamburlaine should enter at the commencement of this scene. that he is drawn in his chariot by the two captive kings, appears from his exclamation at p. , first col. "draw, you slaves!"] [footnote : cease] so the vo.--the to "case."] [footnote : hypostasis] old eds. "hipostates."] [footnote : artiers] see note *, p. . [note *, from p. . (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "artier] i.e. artery. this form occurs again in the sec. part of the present play: so too in a copy of verses by day; "hid in the vaines and artiers of the earthe." shakespeare soc. papers, vol. i. . the word indeed was variously written of old: "the arter strynge is the conduyt of the lyfe spiryte." hormanni vulgaria, sig. g iii. ed. . "riche treasures serue for th'arters of the war." lord stirling's darius, act ii. sig. c . ed. . "onelye the extrauagant artire of my arme is brused." everie woman in her humor, , sig. d . "and from the veines some bloud each artire draines." davies's microcosmos, , p. ."] [footnote : upon] so the to.--the vo "on."] [footnote : villain cowards] old eds. "villaines, cowards" (which is not to be defended by "villains, cowards, traitors to our state", p. , sec. col.). compare "but where's this coward villain," &c., p. sec. col.] [footnote : unto] so the vo.--the to "to."] [footnote : whereas] i.e. where.] [footnote : terrene] i.e. mediterranean.] [footnote : began] so the vo.--the to "begun."] [footnote : this] so the vo.--the to "the."] [footnote : subjects] mr. collier (preface to coleridge's seven lectures on shakespeare and milton, p. cxviii) says that here "subjects" is a printer's blunder for "substance": yet he takes no notice of tamburlaine's next words, "but, sons, this subject not of force enough," &c.--the old eds. are quite right in both passages: compare, in p. , first col.; "a form not meet to give that subject essence whose matter is the flesh of tamburlaine," &c.] [footnote : into] so the vo.--the to "vnto."] [footnote : your seeds] so the vo.--the to "our seedes." (in p. , first col., [the first part of tamburlaine the great] we have had "their angry seeds"; but in p. , first col., [this play] "thy seed":--and marlowe probably wrote "seed" both here and in p. .)] [footnote : lineaments] so the vo.--the to "laments."--the editor of remarks, that this passage "is too obscure for ordinary comprehension."] [footnote : these] so the to.--the vo "those."] [footnote : these] so the to.--the vo "those."] [footnote : damned] i.e. doomed,--sorrowful.] [footnote : clymene's] so the vo.--the to "clymeus."] [footnote : phoebe's] so the vo.--the to "phoebus."] [footnote : phyteus'] meant perhaps for "pythius'", according to the usage of much earlier poets: "and of phyton[i.e. python] that phebus made thus fine came phetonysses," &c. lydgate's warres of troy, b. ii. sig. k vi. ed. .] here the modern editors print "phoebus'".] [footnote : thee] so the vo.--the to "me."] [footnote : cliffs] here the old eds. "clifts" and "cliftes": but see p. , line , first col. [p. , first col. (the first part of tamburlaine the great): "both we will walk upon the lofty cliffs;* * cliffs: so the vo.--the to "cliftes."]